Helping
Same-Sex Partners Enter The United States Legally
November 6, 2009 at 12:00
am by Lyndon Evans
By Guest Writer – Michael Wildes, Esq.
Under current United States immigration law, same-sex partners, even those
married in states that perform same-sex marriages, do not qualify as “spouses”
for immigration purposes. Consequently, while a U.S. citizen in a heterosexual
marriage can petition for a green card for his or her spouse, this option
is not available for same-sex couples. In the fifteen years that I’ve
practiced immigration law, I have had the privilege of helping a number
of foreign nationals join their same-sex partners legally in the United
States. In the absence of legislative reform, the following are methods
that, with the assistance of an immigration lawyer, may be successfully
employed to reunite bi-national same-sex couples.
Foreign nationals wishing to enter the country for up to six months to
visit a domestic partner may apply for a travel visa at the United States
consulate in their home country. The process of entering as a visitor
can be a difficult one – foreign nationals bear the burden of proving
to the consular officers that they do not intend to immigrate to the U.S.
To do this, they must prepare documents that establish their ties to their
home country such as proof that they own property, are employed and have
family ties in their native country. Whether or not the travel visa is
granted is ultimately up to the discretion of the consular officials who
interview them and process their application.
While many of the other family immigration benefits available to heterosexual
couples are unavailable to same-sex couples under current U.S. immigration
law, the same-sex partners of those entering the country on professional
work-related visas such as the E, H, and L visas are eligible for B-2
visitor visas that last for the duration of their partner’s stay
in the U.S.
Foreign national partners interested in studying in the U.S. may consider
obtaining a student visa. After graduating, they can extend their stay
by one year to pursue optional practical training, granting them an additional
year of employment authorization during which time they can search for
an employer who will sponsor them for a work authorized visa, for example,
H-1B visa – a professional worker’s visa. H-1B status allows
foreign nationals to work for this employer for a minimum of a three year
period and the opportunity to extend such stay for an additional three
year period, by which point they may apply for a permanent labor certification,
which, if approved, could earn them their green card.
Foreign national partners coming from eligible countries and satisfying
certain education requirements may qualify for the Department of State’s
annual diversity lottery visa. Those selected in this lottery are permitted
to apply for permanent resident status in the United States. If currently
residing in the country illegally, an applicant should generally NOT apply
for a diversity lottery visa as he or she will be unable to adjust his
status to permanent resident status even if afforded this opportunity.
Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender partners coming from countries
that persecute homosexuals and who have suffered past persecution or have
a well-founded fear of future persecution may be eligible to gain lawful
permanent residence status by filing for political asylum. Persecution
on account of sexual orientation has been recognized as a ground for political
asylum since 1994. Though political asylum cases can even be filed by
persons who entered the country illegally but this filing must typically
be done within one year of the most recent entry.
If you are engaged in a same-sex relationship with a foreign national
partner and wish to have him or her join you in the United States, I would
strongly advise you to consult with an experienced immigration lawyer.
One approach I strongly discourage is entering into a phony marriage with
a U.S. citizen of the opposite sex in order to obtain immigration benefits.
Contrary to popular belief, the United States Citizenship and Immigration
Services (USCIS) thoroughly investigates any marriage it suspects may
be fraudulent. A finding of fraud is not only a possible criminal offense,
but can earn your partner a permanent ban from the United States.
Michael Wildes is a managing partner in the leading immigration law firm
of Wildes & Weinberg P.C. (http://www.wildesweinberg.com/) with offices
in New York, NY and Englewood, New Jersey.
He is the Mayor of Englewood, New Jersey, where he resides.
Paid
for by Friends of Michael J. Wildes For Mayor, Amy Wildes, Treasurer
250
Allison Court, Englewood, NJ 07631
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