Immigration equality

Immigration equality

Immigration equality is a term which refers to the equal treatment of any or all citizen's ability or right to immigrate their family members. It also applies to fair and equal execution of the laws and the rights of non-citizens regardless of nationality or where they are coming from. Currently, immigration equality becomes a significantly magnified issue as gay and lesbians around the world establish marriage equality. The term, however, does not only describe a gay and lesbian issue. It is also a proper noun used as the name of a business and non-profit organization by the same name, Immigration Equality, Inc. [Immigration Equality, Inc. http://immigrationequality.org [http://immigrationequality.org ] ]

Immigration and Migrant Rights Issue:

For instance, in 1999, President Clinton sent a bill to Congress that would have equalized immigration rights for people from Central America and Haiti. Clinton said the bill would correct the imbalance in immigration laws that gave advantage to people who fled communist regimes in Cuba and Nicaragua. Like Nicaraguans and Cubans, many Salvadorans, Guatemalans, Hondurans and Haitains fled human rights abuses or unstable political economic conditions in the 1980's and 1990's, but the later received unequal treatment the that granted to the Nicaraguans and Cubans.The "Central American and Haitian Parity Act of 1999" never passed, but would have offered immigration equality protections to migrants from Haiti, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras. [The Library of Congress, Thomas. S. 1592 Central American And Haitian Parity Act of 1999. To amend the Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act to provide to certain nationals of El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Haiti an opportunity to apply for adjustment of status under that Act, and for other purposes. [http://www.thomas.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c106:S.1592:] Senate Bill http://www.thomas.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c106:S.1592:]

Haitians particularly sought immigration equality in the Elián González affair in 2000 when they organized demonstrations in Miami during an international tug-o-war between Cuba and the U.S. They protested what they said was discrimination against Haitian immigrants by the INS and the behavior of elected officials who lobbied for Elián González to stay in the US, yet ignored the plight Haitian refugees and the repatriation of Haitian children. [Democracy Now! The War and Peace Report. "Haitians Seek Immigration Equality" Audio and Transcript available. Interviewer Amy GoodmanJanuary 14, 2000 http://www.democracynow.org/2000/1/14/haitians_seek_immigration_equality. [http://www.democracynow.org/2000/1/14/haitians_seek_immigration_equality ] Interview]

In 2004, The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, UNHCR, expressed concern about the plight of the Haitian people as the country was sliding further into chaos. Cuba, Jamaica and Canada said they will not send people back to Haiti, but President George W Bush warned Haitians they will be sent home if they try to flee to the US. In a matter of a few days, the US Coast Guard intercepted some 500 people in boats fleeing Haiti and sent them back. But the United States does not send back Cubans fleeing similar situations and regimes and many argue that immigration equality rights between the two nationalities should apply. [UN Fears For Haiti Refugee Plight The United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR, has expressed concern about the plight of the Haitian people as the country slides further into chaos. February 28, 2004 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3495910.stm [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3495910.stm ] BBC News Article]

In 2006, protests continued for immigration equality rights for the Haitians as Lawyers protest Deportation of Illegal Immigrants to Haiti. [Lawyers Protest Deportation of Illegal Immigrants to Haiti. Rachel L. Swarms; January 20, 2006 http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/20/politics/20immig.html?_r=1&oref=slogin [http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/20/politics/20immig.html?_r=1&oref=slogin] The New York Times Article]

LGBT immigration issues (United States):

In the United States, gay and lesbian Americans are not currently afforded the same rights and responsibilities under current immigration law as their heterosexual counterparts. The Uniting American Families Act would end this discrimination and establish immigration equality.Even though a number of US states have recognized same sex marriages and civil unions - Connecticut being the latest - immigration equality is still a long way off because the Defense of Marriage Act forbids the federal government from conferring any benefits to same sex couples. [Representative Jerrold Nadler; Congressman Nadler and Senator Leahy Fight for LGBT Immigration Equality - Uniting American Families Act Would Allow Americans to Sponsor "Permanent Partners." May 8, 2007 http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/ny08_nadler/NadLeahyUAFA050807.html [http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/ny08_nadler/NadLeahyUAFA050807.html ] Press Release]

LGBT immigration issues (Worldwide):

Currently, most English-speaking countries, aside from the US, provide immigration equality to their citizens. In 1989 countries around the world began offering same-sex couples the chance to immigrate their foreign-born partners. Spain became the 19th country in 2005 behind Denmark (1989); Norway (1993); Sweden (1994); Australia (1995); Iceland (1996); Belgium (1997); United Kingdom (1997); France (1999); New Zealand (1999); South Africa (1999); Israel (2000); Portugal (2001); The Netherlands (2001); Germany (2001); Finland (2001); Switzerland (2003); Brazil (2003); and Canada (2005). [UAFA Seeks To Remedy America's Anti-Gay Immigration Policy. Cody Lyon OpEdNews.com; May 14, 2007 http://www.law.ucla.edu/Williamsinstitute/press/UAFASeeksToRemedyAmericasAntiGayImmigrationPolicy.html [http://www.law.ucla.edu/Williamsinstitute/press/UAFASeeksToRemedyAmericasAntiGayImmigrationPolicy.html ] The Williams Institute UCLA School of Law] [Gay, straight couples immigrating to New Zealand treated the same. May 5, 2005 http://www.ozvisa.com/news/2005_05_05/australia/nz_gay_couples.htm [http://www.ozvisa.com/news/2005_05_05/australia/nz_gay_couples.htm ] Australian Immigration]

References

External Links

* [http://www.uklgig.org.uk/ Equal Opportunity Immigration ] (equal-opportunity-immigration.org/) We believe that individuals of all nationalities deserve a fair and equal opportunity to become American citizens. We believe America’s immigration practices should be rational, ethical and compassionate, put the needs of the American people above special interests, and not play politics with human rights and lives. We believe that equal protection of the law expresses America’s most fundamental principles: it must apply to those seeking citizenship, not just current citizens.

* [http://immigrationequality.org/template.php?pageid=49 Immigration Equality]

* [http://www.pfaw.org/pfaw/general/default.aspx?oid=13582 People For The American Way]

* [http://www.nclrights.org/site/PageServer?pagename=issue_immigration_uafa National Center for Lesbian Rights]

* [http://www.uklgig.org.uk/ U.K. Lesbian and Gay Immigration Rights Group ] (uklgig.org.uk) Civil Partnership legislation, which came into force on 5th December 2005 has finally given us immigration equality with heterosexual couples, after nearly 12 years of patient work.

* [http://www.out4immigration.org/ Out 4 Immigration] (Out4Immigration.org) Addresses the widespread discriminatory impact of U.S. immigration laws on the lives of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and HIV+ people and their families through education, outreach, advocacy and the maintenance of a resource and support network.

* [http://www.hrw.org/campaigns/lgbt/uaf_act.htm Human Rights Watch]

* [http://www.throughthickandthin.net/ Website of "Through Thick and Thin", a documentary about the immigration struggles of gay and lesbian couples in America]

* [http://imeq.us IMEQGay Immigration Equality Rights] (imeQ.us)Promoting public awareness of the need for fairness in immigration policy particularly as it relates to the rights of same-sex bi-national couples in the United States (USA) who seek immigration equality or equal immigration rights; Providing information regarding political issues relating to gay immigration equality rights and policy.


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