Heartland Alliance’s National Immigrant Justice Center applauds members of the Chicago City Council for passing a resolution today in favor of the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA), federal legislation that would extend immigration benefits to same-sex partners of U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents.
“The Chicago City Council’s resolution adds an important voice in support of immigration equality,” said Eric Berndt, a supervising attorney at Heartland Alliance’s National Immigrant Justice Center. “It recognizes the heartbreaking decision many Chicagoans face when a partner’s immigration status expires: either to leave the country they love or tear apart their family.”
The Uniting American Families Act (UAFA) would create the category of “permanent partners” in immigration law, which would apply to committed same-sex partners. A foreign national permanent partner could receive the same immigration benefits and path to citizenship as a foreign national spouse. Children of the partners would also be eligible for immigration benefits.
“This resolution continues Chicago’s commitment to equal rights for all its residents and its desire to attract and keep the best and brightest the world has to offer,” said Alderman Tom Tunney.
The City of Chicago Committee on Human Relations recommended that the city council pass the resolution after hearing testimony from immigration law practitioners and advocates, as well as lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) advocacy groups.
UAFA has been introduced in both the U.S. House of Representatives, where it has 118 co-sponsors, and the U.S. Senate, where it has 23 co-sponsors. The National Immigrant Justice Center urges Congress to include UAFA in any comprehensive immigration reform legislation in order to end discrimination and ensure equal rights for all immigrants.
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Read more about the Uniting American Families Act
Heartland Alliance’s National Immigrant Justice Center provides direct legal services to and advocates for immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers through policy reform, impact litigation, and public education. For more information visit www.immigrantjustice.org.