WaPo Says Yes To UAFA

Calling it the righting of a "gross unfairness", today the Washington Post editorialized in favor of the Uniting American Families Act, which would allow the foreign partners of same-sex binational couples the same rights as married heterosexuals.

The strain of the status quo on gay and lesbian binational couples should not be discounted. Because their relationships are not legally recognized by the United States, some couples have resorted to illegal marriages where the foreign nationals marry Americans to get green cards that allow them to stay in the country permanently. In other cases, Americans have exiled themselves to be with their partners. Sixteen countries, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Israel, South Africa and the United Kingdom, allow residents to sponsor same-sex permanent partners for legal immigration. American gays and lesbians should not have to choose between their country and their partners.

The bill was introduced in both chambers of Congress last month. The penalty for same-sex partner immigration fraud will be the same as for heterosexuals - up to five years in prison.