Official Bill Info

• Latest Action: Mar 16, 2009 Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law.

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• Committee Assignment: House Judiciary

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• Committee Assignment: House Judiciary - Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law

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  This bill has been assigned to the House Judiciary - Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law committee.

Bill Statistics on OpenCongress

Contribution Data

OpenCongress Bill Summary

• This bill would expand current immigration law to include “permanent partners” (which it defines in Section 2 of its text), namely allowing U.S. citizens and permanent residents to sponsor same-sex partners, as they would spouses, for immigration visas and permanent residency status. See S. 484 for the Senate equivalent.

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  Here's a summary from OpenCongress.org: This bill would expand current immigration law to include “permanent partners” (which it defines in Section 2 of its text), namely allowing U.S. citizens and permanent residents to sponsor same-sex partners, as they would spouses, for immigration visas and permanent residency status. See S. 484 for the Senate equivalent.

Supporting Organizations

• Human Rights Campaign

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• Marriage Equality USA

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• National Association for the Advancement of Colored People

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  I know that the organization National Association for the Advancement of Colored People supports H.R.1024
• Pride at Work

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• Service Employees International Union

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• Immigration Equality

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• Out4Immigration

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• Join the Impact

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• Love Exiles

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• API Equality

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• Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays

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  I know that the organization Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays supports H.R.1024
• Asian Pacific American Legal Center of Southern California

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• American Civil Liberties Union

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Opposing Organizations

• American Christian Lobbyists Association

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Most-commented sections of the bill text

Highest Rated User Comments

• On June 05, 2009, by christao408 - With my partner of almost ten years, who is a foreign national, we can demonstrate the permanent nature of our partnership in a variety of ways: - We have held a commitment ceremony in which our families members were present. - We were considered domestic partners for benefits purposes by my employer during the time we both were in the US. - We were also listed as domestic partners by the State of California. - We have integrated financial accounts, joint ownership of property, and are joint signatories on other contracts. - We have letters and correspondence that demonstrate the length and nature of our relationship. And that's just a start. We can definitely produce plenty of evidence that we are permanent partners. Plus, the penalties for falsification are severe, the same as they are for opposite-sex couples. I'd urge you to reconsider your concern of how to prove a union and hope that I have demonstrated that it can be definitively proven.

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  As noted by christao408, a user on OpenCongress.org, on June 05, 2009, "With my partner of almost ten years, who is a foreign national, we can demonstrate the permanent nature of our partnership in a variety of ways: - We have held a commitment ceremony in which our families members were present. - We were considered domestic partners for benefits purposes by my employer during the time we both were in the US. - We were also listed as domestic partners by the State of California. - We have integrated financial accounts, joint ownership of property, and are joint signatories on other contracts. - We have letters and correspondence that demonstrate the length and nature of our relationship. And that's just a start. We can definitely produce plenty of evidence that we are permanent partners. Plus, the penalties for falsification are severe, the same as they are for opposite-sex couples. I'd urge you to reconsider your concern of how to prove a union and hope that I have demonstrated that it can be definitively proven."
• On May 30, 2009, by danielfoster - Pandering? Let's hang an axe over your relationship and see how long you would "wait your turn" and sit in the back of the bus. Or worse, not even be on it. Without the provision this bill allows, there continues to be destruction of committed partners and families - creating an immoral, unjust culture in this country. Grow a heart America. Support H.R. 1024.

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  As noted by danielfoster, a user on OpenCongress.org, on May 30, 2009, "Pandering? Let's hang an axe over your relationship and see how long you would "wait your turn" and sit in the back of the bus. Or worse, not even be on it. Without the provision this bill allows, there continues to be destruction of committed partners and families - creating an immoral, unjust culture in this country. Grow a heart America. Support H.R. 1024."
• On June 03, 2009, by GramE - Although this bill does not directly affect anyone in my family, I believe it is important to support families and equal rights. I have called my congress reps and thanked them or urged them to support this bill.

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  As noted by GramE, a user on OpenCongress.org, on June 03, 2009, "Although this bill does not directly affect anyone in my family, I believe it is important to support families and equal rights. I have called my congress reps and thanked them or urged them to support this bill."

Highly Rated Blog Articles

• H.R.1024: To prohibit entities from using Federal funds to ... - March 09, 2011 by opencongress.org - Or, if you know of a news article about this bill to display here, email us the web address of this page and the web address of your suggested news article: Our editorial team will post relevant links as quickly as possible. Thanks for helping to build pub

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  As noted by opencongress.org on March 09, 2011, "Or, if you know of a news article about this bill to display here, email us the web address of this page and the web address of your suggested news article: Our editorial team will post relevant links as quickly as possible. Thanks for helping to build pub" (http://www.opencongress.org/bill/112-h1024/show)
• Immigration Wish List for 2011 - January 02, 2011 by The Immigration Law Link - Pass legislation such as the Uniting American Families Act (HR 1024/S. 424) and end discrimination against LGBT immigrant families. 6. Change technical statute for clarification of 8 USC 1229(a)(b)(5)C)(i). ...

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  As noted by The Immigration Law Link on January 02, 2011, "Pass legislation such as the Uniting American Families Act (HR 1024/S. 424) and end discrimination against LGBT immigrant families. 6. Change technical statute for clarification of 8 USC 1229(a)(b)(5)C)(i). ..." (http://sblawlink.com/index.php/2011/01/03/immigration-wish-list-for-2011/)
• BiNational Same Sex Couples: Exactly What Are They Calling Family ... - January 01, 2011 by BiNational Same Sex Couples - Immigration Raids Lawsuit Upheld · DREAM Come True · Uniting American Families Act · The Repealing of Don't Ask, Don't Tell/Uniting Ame... My Personal Story. Comprehensive Immigration Act Stats. HR 1024 Stats. S.424 Stats. Twit

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  As noted by BiNational Same Sex Couples on January 01, 2011, "Immigration Raids Lawsuit Upheld · DREAM Come True · Uniting American Families Act · The Repealing of Don't Ask, Don't Tell/Uniting Ame... My Personal Story. Comprehensive Immigration Act Stats. HR 1024 Stats. S.424 Stats. Twit" (http://binationalcouples.blogspot.com/2011/01/exactly-what-are-they-calling-family.html)

Highly Rated News Articles

• Gay groups urge passage of immigration reform including provisions for same-sex partners - July 14, 2010 by Miami Herald - ...of LGBT, immigrants’ rights, civil rights and faith groups calling on Congress to enact the Uniting American Families Act (H.R.1024) as part of any future immigration reform effort. HRC President Joe Solmonese released the following statement: “Our

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  As noted by Miami Herald on July 14, 2010, "...of LGBT, immigrants’ rights, civil rights and faith groups calling on Congress to enact the Uniting American Families Act (H.R.1024) as part of any future immigration reform effort. HRC President Joe Solmonese released the following statement: “Our" (http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/2010/07/gay-groups-urge-passage-of-immigration-reform-including-provisions-for-same-sex-partners.html)
• Congressmen offer support for same-sex immigrant couples - May 23, 2010 by Houston Chronicle - ...(D-IL), Mike Quigley (D-IL) and Jared Polis (D-CO) announced their support for the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA / H.R.1024), which would treat gay and lesbian partners the same as married couples under immigration law. Congress.org reports today

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  As noted by Houston Chronicle on May 23, 2010, "...(D-IL), Mike Quigley (D-IL) and Jared Polis (D-CO) announced their support for the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA / H.R.1024), which would treat gay and lesbian partners the same as married couples under immigration law. Congress.org reports today " (http://feeds.chron.com/~r/houstonchronicle/immigration/~3/ZOGEaCVVlns/congressmen_off_1.html)
• LGBT immigration reform tied to larger effort - June 18, 2009 by Bay Area Reporter - Representative Jerrold Nadler (D-New York) first introduced the gay-specific Uniting American Families Act (H.R. 1024) nine years ago.

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  As noted by Bay Area Reporter on June 18, 2009, "Representative Jerrold Nadler (D-New York) first introduced the gay-specific Uniting American Families Act (H.R. 1024) nine years ago." (http://www.ebar.com/news/article.php?sec=news&article=4004)