Amnesty for Same-Sex Couples?

"Liberal Democratic Senators Robert Menendez of New Jersey and Patrick Leahy of Vermont introduced their "Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act" on September 29. Of course its centerpiece is a "pathway" to citizenship for the "undocumented," which critics would call amnesty for illegals. It also includes a "Uniting American Families Act" (UAFA) allowing "permanent partners" of U.S. citizens, which seems to mean same-sex couples, to obtain U.S. residency....Episcopal News Service also highlighted a Chicago Episcopal priest with an immigrant same sex partner similarly on a student visa. "I believe we [gays and lesbians] will be sacrificed in the negotiations," the priest complained about the likely outcome of any final immigration legislation. "How can the majority legislate the rights for a minority? It's not fair. It's not just. I love this country… but it's discouraging."

Naturally, the Episcopal Church has an official policy statement demanding "immigration equality" for same-sex partners, ratified at the denomination's General Convention last year. That resolution denounced as an "outrageous injustice" the lack of recognition by federal immigration law for same-sex couples, when "similarly situated heterosexual immigrants are free to marry at any time." Presciently, the Episcopalians even specifically endorsed the Uniting American Families Act, of which the Leahy/Menendez legislation is the latest incarnation. "By supporting this civil rights legislation, the Episcopal Church can add a Christian voice to those demanding that all citizens be treated equally under U.S. immigration laws," the Episcopal resolution insisted."

Amnesty for Same-Sex Couples?