Expectations that Obama to call for inclusion of same-sex couples: UPDATED – CONTRARY TO SPECULATION OBAMA FAILED TO MENTION THE SNUB OF LGBT SAME-SEX BINATIONALS in the McCAIN Schumer immigration reform plan. Maybe it is in his written plan? But Obama does include them in his written Proposal.
By Melanie Nathan, January 29, 2013, 7.30 AM
Yesterday we reported that a bipartisan group of Senators from both parties revealed the framework of a broad overhaul of the nation’s immigration laws, including a pathway to citizenship for more than 11 million illegal immigrants. But it would seem that the long anticipated inclusion of binational same-sex couples has been omitted from their plan.
According to Buzzfeed Same-sex couples will be a part of the proposal for addressing immigration reform that President Obama is scheduled to unveil Tuesday in Las Vegas. “BuzzFeed confirmed with multiple sources familiar with the White House plan. A Democratic source said:
“Same-sex couples will be part of his proposal.” A second source confirmed that, unlike the Senate framework released Monday, those with one American and one foreign partner — will be included in the White House principles.
Buzzfeed notes: “The decision by Obama seeks to remedy what advocates for same-sex couples view as one of the most searing inequalities under the existing federal limit on marriage to one man and one woman: LGBT American citizens simply have no way to confer citizenship on their romantic partners, something that is automatic — if not always simple — for straight couples.”
However John McCain who was one of the six Senators in the Bi-partisan group charged with coming up with proposals for comprehensive immigration reform, seems to think that Binational couples should not be included, describing their issue as a “red flag.” See video interview below.
Same-sex couples are not of paramount importance, apparently, to the bipartisan group, if indeed McCain is speaking for them all, including Chuck Schumer, who has since 2009 promised same -sex couples that they will be included in reform.
“It is something that is not of paramount importance at this time. However will be addressed later”, notes McCain.
Melanie Nathan:- If these views are expressed now, it is highly possibly that same-sex couples could be used as the negotiating pawn and thrown under the bus, when the time comes. This is something I have cautioned against in the LGBT advocacy work for immigration equality. I knew that this day would come, when again our community would be pawns, as LGBT advocates have failed to establish their quest to prove that binational same-sex inequality is an immigration issue. I for one never saw it as an immigration issue. I always saw it as an equality issue. And so while I pushed to fight for UAFA, the remedial legislation, as a stand alone Bill, especially during the lame duck session when the Democrats has the House, Senate and Presidency, our LGBT advocacy groups, led by Immigration Equality, decided to ditch that effort in favor of joining the immigration reform advocacy route. This current snub proves that the strategy has not worked.
UPDATED 2.45 PM Eastern
Today, President Obama appeared live on T.V. via Las Vegas, NV, to announce his plans for Comprehensive Immigration reform:
In Sum:-
Congress must act on a comprehensive approach. For the first time in many years Republicans and Democrats seem ready to tackle this problem together. Obama’s says his principles are very much in line with that of yesterday’s bipartisan group. This time action must follow. There will be rigorous debate about the details. I wills end a Bill based on MY PROPOSAL and insist they vote on it right away. He then laid out his plan and guidelines:-
Simple principles behind it –
1. focused on enforcement
2. deal with the 11 million individuals who are here illegally – must be clear there is a pathway – even though conditional – not quick- but fair – will lead to citizenship
3. bring our legal system into 21st century – you should not have to wait years for your family to join you, if student, Entrepreneur you should do that here
Do we have the resolve as a people to finally put this behind us. Finally it is in our grasp. Closer we get the more emotional it becomes.
We forget Most of us used to be them – in the discussion. Important to remember our history. Unless you native American you came from some place else.
All new immigrants faced resistance from those who are already here. Over time they did their part to build a nation.
As idea of reform becomes more real and debate becomes more heated.
This debate is about people.
CONTRARY TO SPECULATION OBAMA FAILED TO MENTION THE SNUB OF LGBT SAME-SEX BINATIONALS in the McCAIN Schumer immigration reform plan. Maybe it is in his written plan?
UPDATED: The Plan Does Include binational couples. Now the question is whther the Congress will adopt the President’s Plan or whether it will continue the Schumer McCain snub. seee OBAMA ‘S WRITTEN PROPOSAL INCLUDES GAY Same Sex COUPLES http://oblogdeeoblogda.me/2013/01/29/president-obamas-immigration-reform-proposal-does-includes-a-mention-of-same-sex-couples/
For information on the Plan see THE WHITE HOUSE BLOG http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2013/01/29/president-obamas-four-part-plan-comprehensive-immigration-reform
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You are undoubtedly correct Melanie otherwise why would McCain come out with this preemptive strike, or toss under the bus as I see it, if the (R)s haven’t already planned our exclusion.
You are correct, Melanie, this isn’t so much an immigration issue as it is an issue of equality: if gays were considered fully equal before the law in every sense – including having the right to marry – then there wouldn’t be much of an issue having those same rights entrenched through the language of other laws – it would be built into the legislative language of those laws by virtue of the fact that it would already be the law of the land.
I would, however, like to draw your attention to one correction: during the lame duck session the House was not under Democrat control – it was, and remains, under Republican control (even though the Dems received more than 1,000,000 more votes in the election). The Democrats lost control of the House after the 2010 elections, when the Tea Party surged into … well, when they surged.
Hopefully the next election, in 2014, will see a return of the House to the Democrats … but, that will require a great amount of work, especially considering the amount of work the GOP is doing to disenfranchise and … well, steal the election – the work has already begun.
What a bloviating windbag McShame is. He should never have left the Hanoi Hilton.
There seems to be a First Amendment problem on this site… any response, Melanie? I may be wrong, but….
It takes me sometime to moderate comments – so can take some hours to appear when I am unavailable. I moderate all comments. So yes If I get comments that use foul language or are hateful or attacks on my physical safety, i do not put them up.
That I can accept fully… thank you, Melanie!!!
What a bloviating ass McShame is — he should never have been allowed to leave the Hanoi Hilton!
“”It is something that is not of paramount importance at this time. However will be addressed later”, notes McCain. ”
= “Over my aged, backwards-thinking, far right-leaning body”… or
= “When h*ll freezes over, whipper-snapper”.
McCain is another decaying albatross hanging around the neck of equality & enlightenment.