News & Opinion
for this issue
Statement
NCLR Applauds Senate Inclusion of Same-Sex Couples and Relief for Youth in Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill
Statement from Federal Policy Attorney Maya Rupert
09.30.10—Today, Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Patrick Leahy (D-VT) introduced the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2010. This legislation, which provides many urgently needed changes to our national immigration law, protects same-sex couples by incorporating the substance of the Uniting Americans Families Act (UAFA), which would grant U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents the right to sponsor their same-sex permanent partners to immigrate to the United States.
Statement
NCLR Calls on Congress for Immigration Equality for Families
Comprehensive Immigration Reform Legislation Must Include Protections for Binational Couples among The Family Unity Provisions
07.15.10—Today, the National Center for Lesbian Rights joined a coalition of organizations and leaders calling on Congress to insist that the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA) be included in comprehensive immigration reform legislation going forward.
Statement
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights Groups and Allies Join Outcry Against Anti-Immigrant Measure in Arizona
06.07.10— More than 20 lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) equality groups and allies today issued the following joint statement:
Arizona’s S.B. 1070 takes the state down a path that will lead to racial profiling, discrimination and anti-immigrant extremism.
Statement
NCLR Condemns Arizona's Unconstitutional Anti-Immigration Law
A statement from NCLR Executive Director Kate Kendell
04.26.10— Today the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) released a statement strongly condemning the passage of Arizona’s “Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act” (SB 1070). The new law would require law enforcement officials to stop people whom they believe are in the U.S. illegally and demand proof of their immigration status.
Opinion
Why LGBT People Must Demand Immigration Reform
NCLR's Blog: Out for Justice
03.19.10— There is a large battle looming in Washington over legislation to reform our nation’s immigration laws. This coming Sunday, March 21, many LGBT immigrants, their families, and allies will march in support of immigration reform.
In The News
NCLR's Asylum Work Featured in Newsweek
11.30.09—Last year, the United States received about 49,000 applications for asylum due to a fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion, more than any other nation. Of those, 22,930 individuals were officially granted asylum, according to the U.S. Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services. In 1994 the "members of a particular social group" clause was expanded to include foreign citizens who feared persecution based on their sexual orientation. (In order to apply for asylum, one must already be present in the United States, either legally or illegally.)
Statement
President Obama Announces Final Rule Ending Ban on HIV-Positive Immigrants
Statement from NCLR Executive Director Kate Kendell
10.30.09—The National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) praised President Obama’s announcement today that a final rule repealing the ban on entry to the United States by people with HIV will be published on Monday, November 2. The repeal will take effect in early January, 2010.
Press Release
National Center for Lesbian Rights Immigration Project Director Noemi Calonje Honored by Alice B. Toklas LGBT Democratic Club
10.16.09—The National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) today announced that the Alice B. Toklas LGBT Democratic Club will honor NCLR Immigration Project Director Noemi Calonje with their Legal Services Award, which is presented to individuals who build and protect the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) community. Calonje will be presented with the award at the Club’s annual awards ceremony on Wednesday, October 21 at 6:00 pm at the Infusion Lounge in San Francisco.
Press Release
Civil Rights Groups Urge Ninth Circuit to Reconsider Denial of Asylum to Gay Man from Guatemala
04.24.09—Today, Immigration Equality and the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) filed a friend of the court brief urging the Ninth Circuit to rehear its decision in Martinez v. Holder, 557 F.3d 1059 (9th Cir. 2009). Last month, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals denied asylum to Saul Martinez, a gay man from Guatemala. Martinez fled Guatemala after he was beaten, sexually assaulted, and threatened by a Guatemalan Congressman and repeatedly harassed by the Guatemalan police—all because he was gay.
Press Release
Gay, HIV-Positive Man from Pakistan Seeks Refuge in the United States
LGBT, HIV/AIDS, and Immigrant-Rights Organizations Submit Brief in Support of His Asylum Claim
08.04.08—Today, the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) and Heartland Alliance’s National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) filed an amicus brief with the Board of Immigration Appeals in Falls Church, Virginia on behalf of a number of other lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT), HIV/AIDS, and immigrant-rights organizations in support of a gay Pakistani man with HIV who is seeking asylum in the United States.
Press Release
President Bush Signs Legislation to End Statutory Ban on HIV-Positive Immigrants
Department of Health and Human Service Now Must Act to Repeal Regulations
08.04.08—Today, the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) released a statement applauding Congress and President Bush’s repeal of a statutory ban on immigration to the United States by people with HIV, and called upon the Department of Health and Human Services to follow suit and implement these changes to their current regulations.
Press Release
The National Center for Lesbian Rights to Attend National Immigration Summit to Reshape the Debate
Immigration Summit Will Strengthen Relationships Among Immigrant and Allied Organizations and Coordinate Broad-based Campaign Strategy for 2008 and Beyond
02.07.08 — At the height of this critical election season, the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) and its allies are traveling to Washington, D.C. February 10-12, 2008 to take part in the second Fair Immigration Reform Movement Summit to launch the "Building America Together" campaign to revive political momentum to fix America’s broken immigration system.
Opinion
Kate’s Blog: Out for Justice
Immigration: Seeking Justice Despite the Challenges
06.18.07 — In 2004, marriage equality for gay and lesbian couples was a hot button issue in political races across the country, including the 2004 Presidential election. Now, it’s immigration. In 2004, right-wing politicians exploited the humanity of LGBT people for political gain. This election season, the new target is immigrants, and it is imperative that we and others do not stand idly by.
Statement
NCLR Celebrates César Chávez Day
03.31.07 — As Immigration Project Director, the work I do everyday at NCLR is getting harder and harder as our broken immigration system continues to tear our families and our communities apart.
Press Release
NCLR Releases Comprehensive Publication on Lesbian Asylum
02.28.07 — Today, the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) announced the publication of "The Challenges of Lesbian Asylum Claims," which provides a comprehensive analysis of lesbian asylum claims, including practical advice and legal strategies for lesbian asylum seekers.
breaking news | in the press center
Statement
Court of Appeals Rules Against Christian Legal Society, Denies Request to Reopen Challenge to University’s Non-discrimination Policy
A statement from NCLR Legal Director Shannon Minter, Esq.
11.17.10—Today the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit denied the Christian Legal Society’s request to present additional evidence in Christian Legal Society v. Wu, a case challenging a California law school’s policy that student groups may not discriminate based on sexual orientation, religion, or other bases.