CPC Hour: Iraq
Floor Speech
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. TAKANO. I want to thank the gen tle lady from California for yielding me some time.
I'm going to switch subjects a little as I want to rise today to express my support for the immigration proposal released last week by the bipartisan group of Senators called the Gang of Eight.
While this bill is not perfect and I have serious doubts about several provisions in it, it shows that both sides of the aisle can work together on issues facing our Nation, that Democrats and Republicans can work together.
I am pleased that the proposal provides a pathway to citizenship, a fast track for DREAMers, an increase in the number of high-skilled worker visas and an opportunity for immigrants, who have been deported on noncriminal grounds, to apply for readmittance if they have a spouse or children in the United States.
I do, however, have some concerns regarding the legislation, including the fact that it fails to address binational eligible LGBT families.
More than a dozen countries allow same-sex partner-sponsoring, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Israel, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and many more.
The United States should be no different.
Keeping these loving families apart is wrong, and it's bad for the economy.
Take the story of southern California residents Brian and Michael. They met in 2005, became engaged next year in Paris and were married during the brief window during which same-sex marriage was legal in California.
Brian, who's been an educator for over 20 years, teaches humanity courses at a magnet school during the day and at Los Angeles Community College at night.
His husband, Michael, came to the United States from Malaysia on a student visa in 2005, and since then has been the perfect example of the kind of immigrant we want to keep here. He has earned a master's degree in nursing and is currently working on a doctorate in the same field.
Michael and Brian have shared their lives for almost 10 years and cannot even travel internationally to see Michael's family because of the visa restrictions placed on them.
What's going to happen to Michael when he completes his education? Are we really going to break up this family? Are we really going to send a well-trained medical professional back?
The debate on reforming our immigration system is not over. I plan on working with Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle, from both Houses, to ensure that binational LGBT families are given the same opportunities as everyone else.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Source