News: Trump Blocks Visas For Same-Sex Partners of U.N. Diplomats
In yet another move that pits the Trump administration against the LGBTQ community, the current administration has revoked a Hillary Clinton-era directive that gives visas to unmarried same-sex partners of United Nations (U.N.) employees. To earn visas for their partners, same-sex couples must now get married.
USA Today reports that the policy was made effective Monday, but the memo detailing the policy had already been unveiled in July. Because of this change in policy, foreign diplomats and U.N. workers now only have until the end of year to get married to their partners or risk having them get deported.
More than a hundred families in the United States will be affected by this policy shift, according to the State Department. It’s unclear how incoming foreign diplomats and U.N. employees will be affected by this shift.
Critics of the shift point out that not all U.N. member-states allow same-sex marriage, or only have civil unions. Diplomats from countries that outlaw same-sex marriage can marry their partners in the United States, but have no assurance that they will not face criminal proceedings one they return to their home countries. Currently, only 12 percent of the 193 U.N. member states represented in New York allow same-sex marriage.
This move comes after Mike Pence spoke at the anti-LGBTQ Family Research Council’s Values Voter Summit. Trump also spoke there during his campaign, and was also the first sitting president to do so.
During the election, Pence and Trump ran on a Republican platform that defines marriage as between one man and one woman.” Trump’s transition team was also headed by “traditional marriage” defender Ken Blackwell. Just like Pence, Blackwell believes in conversion therapy, and is also a member of anti-LGBTQ group Family Research Council.
How about telling the rest of the story? He blocks ALL partner visas, gay AND straight, if the couple is not married. Way to mislead the sheep A4A.
So true, Midwest Dude. Another ploy to paint the current administration as mean and cruel to the gay community. It applies whether gay or str8 or in between – Visas only for married couples. And why not? The USA isn’t a dating game and the American people shouldn’t have to finance the visa and other costs for a person who’s relationship to a diplomat isn’t bound by any contractual domestic arrangement. Gay rights = the same rights as for anybody else, not more.
Dave, try to look past the hysteria more often and look at the facts. I realize that’s not as much fun nor as easy as being united with your readers in pious, self-righteous, and ignorant revulsion but it will make you a better writer if your intention is to inform. Of course, if that’s not your intent then carry on with half-truths and innuendo. Myself and guys like Midwest Dude will be sure to call you on it when the opportunity arises.
a4a is not the only one. Look at the headlines from the top five Google news results:
Snopes: Trump Administration to Deny Visas to Same-Sex Partners of Diplomats, U.N. Officials
CNN: US halting visas for same-sex partners of diplomats
Fortune: Trump Administration Denies Visas to Unmarried, Same-Sex Partners of Diplomats
NY Times: U.S. Bans Diplomatic Visas for Foreign Same-Sex Domestic Partners
Herald Hub: Trump bans G-4 visas to same-sex domestic partners of diplomats
Also, note that they are denied use of a DIPLOMATIC visa. This is a critical distinction.
The State Dept. website says the following, “Diplomats, government officials, and employees who will work for international organizations in the United States need G visas. Officials and employees of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) who will work for NATO in the United States need NATO visas. With the exception of a Head of State or Government who qualifies for an A visa regardless of the purpose of his or her visit to the United States, the type of visa required by a diplomat or other government official depends upon their purpose of travel to the United States.”
Basically, your boyfriend or girlfriend, irrespective of sexuality, does not require the protections afforded a diplomatic status, including diplomatic immunity. As any New Yorker or Washingtonian can tell you, diplomatic immunity is horrifically abused. Smuggling is endemic as those with diplomatic visas do not get searched at customs.
This ruling is a bit more complex than presented here and does not affect The Glorious Cause in any way.
I’m glad to see some of you guys are Patriotic Republicans. I’ve noticed Dave’s bias also. He’s Canadian so I just let it go.
There are no Republicans or Democrats. There is only Comcast, AT&T, Amazon, Google, Lockheed Martin, et al. Sure, it seems some of the Republicans have grown a spine lately since the “death” of Sen. No Name. But I am no Republican. I am further to the right than Ayn Rand. To me, every law passed is a liberty I have had to surrender. As far as I am concerned, they are nothing but dirty cops on the take, making tons from insider trading.
Though the growth of Lindsey Graham’s balls has been a joy to behold.
I’m glad to see some of you guys are Patriotic Republicans. I’ve noticed Dave’s bias also. He’s Canadian so I just let it go.
FTR, I’m a Libertarian, not a Republican. And Libertarian Queer has it right there in his name! But hey, keep going with the two-party mindset on politics. It’s a major part of what’s got us in this mess in the first place.
Well to be honest, senator Lindsey Graham is a closeted gay who was raised in a republican, christian home in rural racist Texas. He is absolutely suppressed and chose a life style of family and children, because quite frankly being gay isn’t for the faint of heart. Lindsey sounds gay and it just makes sense as to why he needs to hide who he is. His brotherhood Congress would vote his ass out if they knew. But being democrat could get also us killed by Trump , since he keeps making it abundantly clear that he hates that party. I seriously feel Trump has hate in his heart for those who defy him or vote against him. He will turn on you in an instant. He is a coward because he is getting ready for possible, God I hope so, impeachment by blaming his supporters and China. He may also develop some sort of memory condition that he could blame “leave with dignity or progress’. He is an narcissistic child who needs excess admiration. I believe my governor and senator is individually fixing our states. and bringing jobs or fixing economy. I hate to name call because I have been bullied in my past, but that man is the scariest, idiot I have ever seen in my life. I can’t feasibly escape him so what are we to do with someone that literally can say whatever he wants and nothing happens? Where the fuck is karma? Of course ‘God bless the U.S.A Republican, jerk would block ‘democratic or liberal’ LGBTQ aka humanity and personable areas. I MAY have supported him in the past if he was fair, nice and well just NICE!!! I don’t ‘understand’ much of the behind the scenes of the Presidents job, like everyone else whom wont admit it, but the basics is simple and he is just a rotten, cruel man and his smug look has his followers fooled. This is Hollywood type scumbag crook. Ugh, I hate him:( I am not suppose to hate. Please forgive me.