US: Obama’s immigration reform plan aims to support same-sex families

Jan 30 2013
Written by Joseph McCormick

Illustrated rainbow pride flag on a white background.

Plans laid out by President Barack Obama for immigration reform, include provisions for recognising same-sex families from different countries, and allowing visas for same-sex couples wishing to live in the US.

Speaking at a rally in Las Vegas, Obama gave details of his plan to improve America’s immigration system, which included provisions to assist LGBT binational families.

The immigration reform plan said that it seeks to treat “same-sex families as families by giving US citizens and lawful permanent residents the ability to seek a visa on the basis of a permanent relationship with a same-sex partner.”

The plan also set out that it would come down hard on companies using undocumented, illegal workers, and that it would streamline the process for foreigners wanting to live and work in the US.

Speaking at his recent, second inauguration, President Obama made a speech which said “our journey is not complete” until equal rights for gay people is reached, and referred to the importance of the Stonewall riots in terms of moves towards equality.

In May 2012, Obama announced in an interview with ABC News that he thought gay couples should have the same legal right to marry as heterosexual couples.

A 10-year-old in the US was surprised to get a reply to a letter she sent to President Barack Obama. She had written to tell him that she appreciated his acceptance of the love between same-sex couples.

In the early hours of 7 November 2012, Barack Obama reached the projected magic number of 270 electoral college votes needed to be re-elected President of the United States of America.