Uniting American Families Act

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The Uniting American Families Act (UAFA, H.R. 1024, S. 424) is a U.S. bill to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to eliminate discrimination in the immigration laws by permitting permanent partners of United States citizens and lawful permanent residents to obtain lawful permanent resident status in the same manner as spouses of citizens and lawful permanent residents and to penalize immigration fraud in connection with permanent partnerships.[1][2]

The UAFA was introduced in the United States House of Representatives on February 12, 2009 by New York Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY).[3] There are currently 80 cosponsors of this bill in the United States House of Representatives.[4]

The UAFA was introduced in the United States Senate on February 12, 2009 by Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT).[5] There are currently 14 cosponsors of this bill in the United States Senate.[6]

Contents

[edit] Definitions of Permanent Partner and Permanent Partnership

The UAFA defines Permanent Partner and Permanent Partnership as follows:

The term "permanent partner" means an individual 18 years of age or older who--

(A) is in a committed, intimate relationship with another individual 18 years of age or older in which both parties intend a lifelong commitment;
(B) is financially interdependent with that other individual;
(C) is not married to or in a permanent partnership with anyone other than that other individual;
(D) is unable to contract with that other individual a marriage cognizable under this Act; and
(E) is not a first, second, or third degree blood relation of that other individual.
The term "permanent partnership" means the relationship that exists between two permanent partners.[7][8]

[edit] History of the Act

Congress Short title Bill number(s) Date introduced Sponsor(s) # of cosponsors Latest status
111th Congress Uniting American Families Act of 2009 H.R. 1024
S. 424
February 12, 2009 Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY)
Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT)
House=80
Senate=14
Referred to Judiciary Committee(s)
110th Congress Uniting American Families Act of 2007 H.R. 2221
S. 1328
May 8, 2007 House=118
Senate=18
109th Congress Permanent Partners Immigration Act
Uniting American Families Act
H.R. 3006
S. 1278
June 21, 2005 House=115
Senate=13
108th Congress Permanent Partners Immigration Act of 2003 H.R. 832
S. 1510
July 31, 2003 House=129
Senate=12
107th Congress Permanent Partners Immigration Act of 2001 H.R. 690 February 14, 2001 Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) House=106
106th Congress Permanent Partners Immigration Act of 2000 H.R. 3650 February 14, 2000 House=59

[edit] References

  1. ^ H.R. 1024
  2. ^ S. 424
  3. ^ Representative Jerrold Nadler (February 12, 2009). Rep. Nadler Continues Fight for LGBT Immigrant Rights - Uniting American Families Act Would Allow Americans to Sponsor Permanent Partners Press Release.
  4. ^ U.S. House. 111th Congress, 1st Session. op. cit., see Cosponsors.
  5. ^ Senator Patrick Leahy (February 12, 2009). Leahy Introduces Bill To Provide Equality Under Immigration Law Press Release.
  6. ^ U.S. Senate. 111th Congress, 1st Session. op. cit., see Cosponsors.
  7. ^ U.S. House. 111th Congress, 1st Session. op. cit., see Text of Legislation, Sec. 2.
  8. ^ U.S. Senate. 111th Congress, 1st Session. op. cit., see Text of Legislation, Sec. 2.

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