If she is deported, Tan will be separated from her partner Jay Mercado, who is a naturalized citizen. For straight couples, there wouldn't be a similar problem because a citizen can sponsor a spouse for residency. But under the federal Defense of Marriage Act, this right doesn't exist for an estimated 37,000 same-sex couples where one partner is a noncitizen.
Read more here.
Now you may be saying to yourself, "Gee, Another One Bites the Dust, you are already married and you're straight, why don't you just post the pretty pictures from your wedding and stay out of such things?"
Well, I am a woman of color, and a naturalized American citizen. I am deeply aware of the immigrant experience, of building a life in a new country that can be taken away from you. Despite whatever misguided notions there are in this country, not every immigrant is here illegally. I can't even imagine what this couple is going through, who have been together for 23 years with 12 year old twins. It was also not that long ago that the rights I have were granted to people like me.
And, most of all, this is a human issue. Straight or gay, colored or white. Nobody benefits from separating loving families.
2 comments:
how terribly sad! Being an immigrant to the U.S myself the thought of being seperated from my family that is here with me is heart breaking!
Thanks for posting this!
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