I am posting links to two new articles about USA Immigration Reform. Currently there is a Bi-Partisan group working on Immigration Reform to put forward in the US Congress and Senate.
Democrats appear to be concerned with proposed cutting back of Family Visas that in the past and currently have included brothers, sisters, parents and married children.
Republicans are proposing the numbers for Family Immigration be cut back in order to increase Job related Visas that require a higher "skill" level. They want the focus for increased job related Visas to be in Math, Science, Computer Sciences.
What does it mean for Queers? Honestly, I am not sure Same-Sex couples are even still included in the current Immigration Reform talks or have our interest been put aside, again, and the focus still remains on heterosexuals. Most of us here know that as long as DOMA is current law, Queers and their partners are still in the eyes of the Federal law, Less then Equal.
Unlike other topics discussed here in our community, I have not seen many posts expressing how people feel, think about USA Immigration Law and Policy. Yes, this can be a very sensitive and "hot" topic.
However the Immigration Reform may unfold, I want Same-Sex couples, Queers to be considered in this debate, reform. I am very tired of us, our families, our education or lack there of, not being given the same consideration as heterosexual couples, "families."
There in lies one of the rubs. In these articles you will read about the importance of "family." The cornerstone of American Immigration, "Family." Yes, as long as your family is considered to be the "traditional" family. Meaning legally married and heterosexual. Then you can bring in the adult children, the aged parents and your siblings. It does not matter if they lack "skills."
Now, let's go to the Visas that cover jobs. Who has these skills, education? Think about it. Yes, I would make a guess that Queers are included in this set. Our sexuality does not matter as long as we have the skills. If you are a poor Queer with lack of skills.......... well you see the picture here.
Please think about these things. Whether your world is directly impacted by Immigration Law or not, your life, your quality of life really is impacted. Our planet is getting smaller and smaller. None of us can continue to ignore the world around us. Thanks for reading this.
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Immigration reform dilemma: Cut family visas to woo computer engineers?
Congress is closing in on immigration reforms that favor more immigrants with math and science backgrounds, but lawmakers are divided over whether to favor job skills over family ties.
By David Grant, Staff Writer / March 20, 2013
The thornier questions surround how to handle family-based visa applications for parents and siblings. As lawmakers seek to boost green cards for skills-based migrants, some are looking there as a potential offset.
Currently, skilled migrants make up 7 percent of America's total green card stream; in countries such as Canada and Australia, they make up more than half of all new nationals.
http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politic...uter-engineers
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Seven Democratic senators push to maintain family visas
Posted by David Nakamura on March 20, 2013
Seven Democratic senators are asking a bipartisan group of colleagues to reconsider plans to eliminate some categories of family visas as the group finalizes a comprehensive overhaul of immigration laws.
In a letter to the eight-member group, Democratic Sens. Mazie Hirono (Hawaii), Elizabeth Warren (Mass.), Barbara Boxer (Calif.), Sherrod Brown (Ohio), Brian Schatz (Hawaii), Tom Harkin (Iowa) and Al Franken (Minn.) praised the bipartisan effort but cautioned that the senators should maintain visas reserved specifically for foreign brothers, sisters and married children of U.S. citizens.
Currently, about two-thirds of visas are issued for family reasons, with 14 percent for employment reasons. Republicans have said increasing work visas will balance the country’s economic needs with family ties.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/...wpmk=MK0000200