HRC Blog

HRC & partner LGBT groups call for a comprehensive immigration policy that ensures fair and just treatment for LGBT people

The Congressional Hispanic Caucus has unveiled its principles for immigration reform and specifically is calling for the inclusion of bi-national, same-sex couples as a priority for immigration reform.

In 2003, Congress passed the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA), the first federal statute with the explicit goal of addressing and reducing sexual assault in prisons, jails and other facilities where individuals are incarcerated.

Today, 69 Members of Congress sent a letter to the heads of the Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security urging further actions to stop the deportation of foreign born members of bi-national same-sex couples.

Today, Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) joined by Senators Harry Reid (D-NV), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), John Kerry (D-MA), Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Chuck Schumer (D-NY) reintroduced the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2011, which includes the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA). UAFA allows United States citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their same-sex partners for family-based immigration.