LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION urging the New York State Congressional deleg-
ation to support the passage of the Uniting American Families Act, and
the inclusion of LGBT families in common sense immigration reform

WHEREAS, A driving goal under U.S. immigration law is family unification
and the ability of families and individuals to reside legally in the
U.S., engaging fully in our country's rich civil traditions and form of
government; and
WHEREAS, The State of New York celebrates and respects all immigrant
groups and recognizes no difference in its marriage laws between same-
sex and different-sex couples; and
WHEREAS, Current U.S. immigration law discriminates against a U.S.
citizen or lawful permanent resident and his or her foreign-born partner
by not allowing the sponsorship of the foreign partner for immigration
benefits where a different-sex couple would have the right to do so; and
WHEREAS, The categorical exclusion of LGBT families in the immigration
system has devastating and life-altering consequences for same-sex part-
ners; and
WHEREAS, The State of New York and the entire country endure a loss of
talent when immigration discrimination forces couples to leave the U.S.
- a fact recognized by more than thirty global companies that publicly
support UAFA's inclusion in immigration reform, including many companies
headquartered in our State; and
WHEREAS, Currently pending in the United States Congress is the Unit-
ing American Families Act (S. 296 / H.R. 519), reintroduced in the 113th
Congress with bipartisan support -- in the House by New Yorkers of both
parties, Representative Jerrold Nadler (D-NY-10) and Representative
Richard Hanna (R-NY-22); in the Senate by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT)
and Senator Susan Collins (R-ME); the purpose of this bill is "to amend
the Immigration and Nationality Act to eliminate discrimination in the
immigration laws by permitting permanent partners of United States citi-
zens 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"; and
WHEREAS, The Uniting American Families Act includes strict legal
requirements to qualify under the statute - including criminal penalties
for fraud and the requirement of an affidavit of support for the foreign
national for 10 years, and retains the good faith nature of their
relationship; and
WHEREAS, The Uniting American Families Act would bring U.S. immi-
gration law in line with the 31 other countries that already recognize
same sex partnerships for immigration purposes, including: Australia,
Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland,
France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, the Netherlands, New Zealand,
Norway, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the
United Kingdom; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the New York State Congressional delegation be and
hereby is respectfully memorialized by this Legislative Body to support
passage of the Uniting American Families Act and the inclusion of LGBT
families in common sense immigration reform; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to each member of the Congressional delegation from the State of
New York.