Uniting American Families Act of 2007

The Uniting American Families Act of 2007, or UAFA (H.R.2221; S.1328), is a bill to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to eliminate discrimination based on sexual orientation in immigration laws for "permanent partners" (see definition below).

Bill status
The UAFA was introduced in the House on May 8, 2007 by Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) as H.R.2221. As of July 2007, the bill had received 81 cosponsors in the House. 

The UAFA was introduced in the Senate on May 8, 2007 by Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) as S.1328. As of July 2007, the bill had received 3 cosponsors in the Senate. 

Bill summary
The bill would permit "permanent partners" (see definition below) of United States citizens 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.

Definitions of "permanent partner" and "permanent partnership"
The UAFA defines "permanent partner" and "permanent partnership" as follows:

The term "permanent partner" means an individual 18 years of age or older who:


 * (A) is in a committed, intimate relationship with another individual 18 years of age or older in which both individuals intend a lifelong commitment;


 * (B) is financially interdependent with that other individual;


 * (C) is not married to, or in a permanent partnership with, any individual other than that other individual;


 * (D) is unable to contract with that other individual a marriage cognizable under this Act; and


 * (E) is not a first, second, or third degree blood relation of that other individual.

The term "permanent partnership" means the relationship that exists between 2 permanent partners.

Previous legislation
The Uniting American Families Act or similar legislation has been introduced several times in previous Congresses, but no action was ever taken. Below is a table of the bill's previous introductions.

External resources

 * THOMAS: H.R.2221, Library of Congress.
 * THOMAS: S.1328, Library of Congress.
 * Immigration Equality
 * People For The American Way
 * National Center for Lesbian Rights
 * Out4Immigration
 * PFLAG
 * Human Rights Campaign
 * Human Rights Watch
 * Maple Palm movie website (Independent film about the fictional plight of a same-sex, binational couple in the U.S.)
 * Through Thick and Thin documentary website (documentary about the immigration struggles of gay and lesbian couples in America)