What does the Uniting American Families Act do?
If enacted, the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA) would amend the Immigration and Naturalization Act (INA) to permit a U.S. citizen or a legal permanent resident (LPR) to sponsor a same-sex permanent partner and his or her children for immigration purposes.
Under current law, committed partners of Americans are unable to use the family immigration system, which accounts for more than half of all green cards and immigrant visas granted each year. As a result, many Americans are forced to choose between living apart from their families and leaving the country.
Consistent with basic principles of U.S. immigration law, the UAFA aims to unite families while retaining strong prohibitions against immigration fraud.