Why Marriage Matters to Binational Couples
Approximately 35,820 of the 594,391 same-sex unmarried partner couples counted in Census 2000 are binational couples (couples in which the partners are citizens of different countries). Among binational couples, more than a third of same-sex male couples and 58% of female same-sex couples report having children under age 18 in the home. These children are less likely to be citizens than children raised by binational married couples.
Because same-sex couples are excluded from marriage by the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), binational same-sex couples are unable to keep their families together in the United States. American citizens in such relationships are unable to sponsor their foreign partner like other married couples are, and therefore, are needlessly separated from their loved ones. Along with our continued work to win marriage nationwide, Freedom to Marry supports the Uniting American Families Act, which was proposed in Congress to allow American citizens to sponsor their partner, and stop separating families.
Freedom to Marry has also spoken out against offensive anti-immigrant measures, such as Arizona’s SB1070 passed in May 2010. Such measures invite discrimination and abuse, and are part of an anti-immigrant hysteria that is inimical to America's interests and the Golden Rule.
Learn More About International Progress Toward the Freedom to Marry
Blog Posts Related to Binational Couples
Victory for Cristina and Monica
Married lesbian couple Cristina and Monica are able to stay in the U.S. after Immigration and Customs Enforcement closes deportation case against Monica.
Anthony & Bradford discuss their struggle to stay together under DOMA
Anthony and Bradford, a legally married binational couple from San Francisco, talk with MSNBC's Thomas Roberts about their struggle to stay together due to the so-called Defense of Marriage Act.
Violeta and Sujey face deportation hearing this Friday
This Friday, Violeta Pando will find out whether or not she will be separated from her wife, Sujey, who faces deportation back to Mexico. Although Violeta and Sujey are legally married, the federal government will not allow Violeta to sponsor Sujey because the so-called Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) keeps the government from recognizing their marriage for the purposes of immigration.
Resources Related to Binational Couples
Asians, Gay Marriage, and Immigration: Family Unification at a Crossroads
Penn State law professor, Victor C. Romero, examines marriage equality and it’s impact on binational couples in the APA community.
Our Lives and Dreams Are at the Mercy of DOMA
Story of a binational same-sex couple at the mercy of the Defense of Marriage Act, presented by GLAD.
Family, Unvalued: Discrimination, Denial and the Fate of Binational Same-Sex Couples Under U.S. Law
In this report, binational couples tell stories of abuse by immigration officials and even deportation.
