Love Sees No Borders - Congress Urged

Love Sees No Borders Urges Congress to Pass H.R. 690
Bill Protects American Families in Time of Crisis

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SUNNYVALE, Calif., Oct. 26, 2001 - Love Sees No Borders, the recently established organization focused on raising awareness of the plight of same-sex binational couples and their fight to remain together, today urges the House of Representatives to take immediate action on the Permanent Partners Immigration Act (PPIA), H.R. 690 to protect American families in this time of extreme pressure due to increased scrutiny of foreign nationals.

"Given our current national security situation it is understandable that tighter controls undoubtedly need to be enacted," said Leslie Bulbuk of Love Sees No Borders. "However, the basis of our American society is the family, and same-sex families deserve the same protections that opposite-sex families receive. In this time of severe need, our foreign-born partners may face deportation regardless of the hardships this may cause to us as the American partner. We would like to remind Congress that our partners are not terrorists, but rather our lives, and our families."

Since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on American soil, tougher immigration policies and proposals have been submitted to Congress, placing unwanted stress on same-sex binational couples who are unable to marry or have their relationships recognized by any other means in order to gain immigration rights. Currently detention and deportation are the most dreaded consequences for these unprotected families. Unfortunately, many same-sex binational couples have no other recourse than risking overstaying visas or committing other illegal activities like sham marriages with Americans of the opposite-sex, even though they already have American partners who are only too willing to sponsor them. The increased tightening of immigration policies makes these couples vulnerable and at risk of suffering unnecessary and cruel separation. The PPIA would simply add the words "or permanent partner" next to the word "spouse" on the Immigration and Nationality Act, enabling Americans in same-sex relationships to sponsor their partners just as Americans in opposite-sex relationships do, therefore ending the need to rely on irregular activities to remain together in the U.S. Fifteen other Western countries provide same-sex immigration rights, leaving the U.S. behind in this major human rights front. Out of these, only two-Finland and Holland-recognize same-sex marriages.

"Binational same-sex couples are facing added dangers and challenges now," said Marta Donayre, from Love Sees No Borders. "All we are asking for is a basic protection granted to opposite-sex couples and this is the protection from being unnecessarily separated."

About Love Sees No Borders
Love Sees No Borders is an organization dedicated to promoting awareness of the plight of same-sex binational couples in the United States. Our work includes media outreach, public speaking and other educational activities. For more information about the organization and how to support our efforts through a donation, please visit www.loveseesnoborders.org.