Text of CA AJR 60 (2004)

skip to content home accessibility FAQ feedback sitemap login x Quick Search: Bill Number Bill Keyword Home Bill Information California Law Publications Other Resources My Subscriptions My Favorites Bill Information >> Bill Search >> Text Bill Text PDF2 Add To My Favorites | Version: 09/14/04 - Chaptered 08/25/04 - Enrolled 08/16/04 - Amended Senate 06/24/04 - Amended Assembly 06/07/04 - Amended Assembly 04/21/04 - Amended Assembly 03/31/04 - Amended Assembly 02/05/04 - Introduced AJR-60 Immigration: same-sex partners.(2003-2004) Text >> Votes >> History >> Bill Analysis >> Today's Law As Amended >> Compare Versions >> Status >> Comments To Author >> Add To My Favorites >> SHARE THIS: Bill Start Assembly Joint Resolution No. 60 CHAPTER 192 Relative to immigration. [ Filed with Secretary of State September 14, 2004. ] LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AJR 60, Lieber. Immigration: same-sex partners. This measure would respectfully request that the President and Congress of the United States adopt the Permanent Partners Immigration Act of 2003, which would add the phrase “or permanent partner” to sections of immigration law that provide immigration rights to legally married couples, and would allow gay and lesbian citizens to sponsor their partners as United States residents. Digest Key Bill Text WHEREAS, Approximately 65 percent of the one million green cards and immigrant visas issued each year go to family members of United States citizens and legal permanent residents; and WHEREAS, According to the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS), formally known as the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), the current definition of family excludes same-sex partners; and WHEREAS, The principle of family unification is an unassailable characteristic of our immigration system under which legal permanent residents and United States citizens should be able to sponsor their loved ones for immigration status; and WHEREAS, The Permanent Partners Immigration Act of 2003 was introduced in the 108th Congress of the United States by Congressman Jerrold Nadler with currently 123 cosponsors, and was also recently introduced by Senator Patrick Leahy with currently 11 cosponsors, to add the phrase “or permanent partner” to sections of immigration law that provide immigration rights to legally married couples; and WHEREAS, The intent of the Permanent Partners Immigration Act of 2003 is to recognize the reality that same-sex couples are deserving of the same basic immigration benefits as heterosexuals and to allow gay or lesbian citizens to sponsor their partners to become United States residents; and WHEREAS, Same-sex binational couples in monogamous, committed relationships have demonstrated the same love to, and devotion for, one another that heterosexual married couples have; and WHEREAS, The Permanent Partners Immigration Act of 2003 defines “permanent partner” as an individual 18 years of age or older who is in a committed, intimate relationship with another individual 18 years of age or older in which both parties intend a lifelong commitment; is financially interdependent with that other individual; is not married to or in a permanent partnership with anyone other than that other individual; is unable to contract with that other individual a marriage cognizable under the Immigration and Nationality Act; and is not a first, second, or third degree blood relation of that other individual; and WHEREAS, Although there are a relatively low number of binational same-sex couples, they are severely harmed by discrimination and a lack of protection under current immigration law; and WHEREAS, Data compiled over two decades documents that there has not been a single case of fraud perpetrated by a person or partnership in any domestic partners benefit plan in the United States since those benefit plans began in l982; and WHEREAS, The United States is behind other democracies in extending fair treatment in immigration policies to same-sex partners, and the Permanent Partners Immigration Act of 2003 would bring United States immigration law in line with 16 other countries that currently recognize same-sex partnerships for immigration purposes: Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Israel, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, Sweden, and the United Kingdom; and WHEREAS, The Permanent Partners Immigration Act of 2003 is an appropriate next step towards establishing equality in immigration standards for same-sex partners; now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Assembly and Senate of the State of California, jointly, That the Legislature of the State of California urges the President and the Congress of the United States to adopt the Permanent Partners Immigration Act of 2003, which would add the phrase “or permanent partner” to sections of immigration law that provide immigration rights to legally married couples, and would allow gay and lesbian citizens to sponsor their partners as United States residents; and be it further Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the President and Vice President of the United States, to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, to the Majority Leader of the Senate, and to each Senator and Representative from California in the Congress of the United States.