US House Rep Susan Davis' office issued the following earlier this week:
In a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo,
Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-San Diego) joined 118 of her colleagues in
calling on him to reverse the discriminatory policy of denying visas to
same-sex partners of foreign diplomats.
On October 1, 2018, the State Department began implementing
its policy to no longer issue diplomatic visas to the same-sex
unmarried partners of foreign diplomats, and officials and employees of
international organizations like the United Nations and World Bank. All
current same-sex unmarried partners must now present proof of marriage
by December 31 or risk potential deportation.
“This cynical decision not only runs contrary to our values
as Americans, but it also puts foreign diplomats - who are committed
public servants - at risk,” said Rep. Davis, a member of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus.
“With international relations already frayed from this President’s
behavior and actions, this decision will only make things worse.”
Full Letter Text:
Dear Secretary Pompeo:
We are deeply concerned by the Department’s decision to halt issuance
of G-4 visas to same-sex domestic partners of foreign diplomats and
United Nations (UN) officials and employees. We strongly urge you to
reconsider your decision. This policy discriminates against gay and
lesbian international civil servants, many of whom are citizens of
countries that outlaw same-sex marriage.
On October 1, 2018, the State Department formally halted issuance
of new G-4 visas to same-sex domestic partners of foreign diplomats and
UN officials and employees. It also notified all current same-sex
domestic partner G-4 visa-holders that they have until December 31 to
present a certificate of marriage if they wish to keep their visas.
Failure to do so will result in deportation 30 days thereafter.
Only 26 countries—a mere 13 percent of UN member
states—allow same-sex couples to marry. The State Department’s 2009
decision to issue G-4 visas to same-sex domestic partners in addition to
same-sex spouses reflected global discrimination against same-sex
marriage. In reversing this decision, your department fails to
acknowledge that in most of the world, same-sex domestic partners do not
enjoy the possibility of marriage—and your decision undermines the
validity of these diplomats’ relationship.
The State Department justifies its decision by pointing to
the 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges ruling, but U.S. case law is an irrelevant
standard when it comes to writing rules that only apply to foreign
diplomats. While same-sex marriage has been legal in the U.S. for more
than three years, the worldwide struggle for LGBTQI rights continues and
U.S. leadership on this issue is more important than ever.
While the State Department has said it will provide a
burdensome “limited exception” for diplomats from countries where
same-sex marriage is illegal, the Department provides no similar
exception for UN personnel—an inconsistent and unnecessary exclusion.
Additionally, such a policy could create a problem for our own diplomats as well. Because
countries issue visas in a reciprocal manner, there is a potential that
this policy could open up our diplomats to retaliation abroad —
something that is not only unjust but potentially puts their physical
safety at risk in certain parts of the world.
The United States must maintain its historical moral
leadership on all human rights issues, including those affecting LGBTQI
people. This policy sends the wrong message that the U.S. is not
welcoming of all people. It also needlessly excludes UN personnel,
and places an unnecessary burden on diplomats from countries that do
not currently allow same-sex marriage. We urge the State Department to
reconsider its decision.
Sincerely,
