uluckidog
September 7th, 2005, 04:19 AM
Two years ago, while I was visiting Germany I found and fell in love with the man of my dreams only to realize there was no way for me to bring him home with me to America. Two years later and I am still trying to find a loop-hole in the system and there is none. Marriage in MA (and soon hopefully CA) will not help us either, like most people think. There's really nothing we can do. I wish I had known then what I know now...that's why I am posting to all of you traveling to exotic or distant lands, because you are in a vulnerable situation where you may find yourself in the same situation as we are in, but at least you were forwarned. Not that any of us would have done anything differently, but at least I could have saved myself two years of the agony of searching for a way to bring him home with me, only to come up empty handed.
Here's an excerpt from http://immigrationequality.us
Imagine living in a country that forced you into exile just so you could remain with the love of your life. Imagine having to go underground in order to escape your government's attempt to separate your family, or living in a country where you constantly feared having your lives torn apart and not being able to plan a future together. Imagine having to cross the border separately than your spouse and having to lie to them about your married status, because if they suspect you're married, you're partner will be deported and you're left waiting alone on the other side, not knowing what happened, or where you're going next. Don't imagine too hard--that country is America and for some of us, it is a scary, and psychologically abusive place to be.
I am American, and I want to return there and bring my spouse to live with me. I have a home there and a beautiful family, and an elderly father that I need to care for. But, America doesn't want us to be part of that because I fell in love with a non-American. Neither of us are terrorists or criminals of any sort, so why did America turn it's back on us? Because we are gay and the same laws and rights do not apply. Immigration law recognizes that it's excessively cruel to keep family members apart, but forbids us from sponsoring our loved ones for immigration purposes. As a result, many of us have to commit to very un-American lives or face consequences. Nothing is mentioned in the media, because most will never be affected. The pain and suffering is real. It's a sad day when you realize that you're purposefully being excluded from the pursuit of happiness--and no one seems to care. When your own people throw you and your family to the wayside and you are no more than strangers to them, you feel the exclusion of an America that is unfamiliar to most. Look into our lives and you will see the tragedy that America is causing to one of it's own---live in our shoes for a day and you will feel it.
Our stories are sensitive ones that involve being careful in our attempt to be heard or we could face repercussions. Many of us are ready to take that chance. Uniting American Families Act will remedy all of this, but has no chance of passing, unless more people hear our stories. The only thing more difficult than having to choose between the love of your life and the love of your country is making someone understand exactly what that means.
Here's an excerpt from http://immigrationequality.us
Imagine living in a country that forced you into exile just so you could remain with the love of your life. Imagine having to go underground in order to escape your government's attempt to separate your family, or living in a country where you constantly feared having your lives torn apart and not being able to plan a future together. Imagine having to cross the border separately than your spouse and having to lie to them about your married status, because if they suspect you're married, you're partner will be deported and you're left waiting alone on the other side, not knowing what happened, or where you're going next. Don't imagine too hard--that country is America and for some of us, it is a scary, and psychologically abusive place to be.
I am American, and I want to return there and bring my spouse to live with me. I have a home there and a beautiful family, and an elderly father that I need to care for. But, America doesn't want us to be part of that because I fell in love with a non-American. Neither of us are terrorists or criminals of any sort, so why did America turn it's back on us? Because we are gay and the same laws and rights do not apply. Immigration law recognizes that it's excessively cruel to keep family members apart, but forbids us from sponsoring our loved ones for immigration purposes. As a result, many of us have to commit to very un-American lives or face consequences. Nothing is mentioned in the media, because most will never be affected. The pain and suffering is real. It's a sad day when you realize that you're purposefully being excluded from the pursuit of happiness--and no one seems to care. When your own people throw you and your family to the wayside and you are no more than strangers to them, you feel the exclusion of an America that is unfamiliar to most. Look into our lives and you will see the tragedy that America is causing to one of it's own---live in our shoes for a day and you will feel it.
Our stories are sensitive ones that involve being careful in our attempt to be heard or we could face repercussions. Many of us are ready to take that chance. Uniting American Families Act will remedy all of this, but has no chance of passing, unless more people hear our stories. The only thing more difficult than having to choose between the love of your life and the love of your country is making someone understand exactly what that means.