Permanent Partners Immigration Act, or H.R 832 was introduced by Congressman Jerrold Nadler (N-NY) on Feb.13, 2003 and would grant same-sex couples the same benefits afforded to legally married couples under U.S. immigration law.  A companion bill was introduced in the Senate by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and has been referred to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary.  Specifically, the bill would add the term “permanent partner” to the federal law’s definition of family allowing U.S. citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their partners for immigration purposes, just as any legal spouse would.

The United States issues approximately 750,000 green cards or immigrant visa every year to family members of U.S. citizens and permanent residents.  Federal law does not include same-sex partners in the definition of “family” for the purpose of issuing a green card or immigrant visa.  Same-sex partners of U.S citizens and permanent residents are not considered “spouses” under current immigration law and cannot be sponsored by their partners for family-based immigration.  This inequity forces thousands of same-sex couples to be separated from their loved ones.  In some cases, same sex partners face prosecution by the INS, including hefty fines and possible deportations.  Many tax paying citizens are being left with no other choice than to migrate with their partners to one of fifteen countries with fair-minded immigration laws.

For more information on the Permanent Partners Immigration Act see Permanent Partners Immigration Act of 2003 (H.R. 832/S. 1510)