| Equal rights for LGBT families do not threaten immigration reforms but bigotry certainly puts us behind. If the tent is not big enough, we can build another one that approaches immigration not just from a legalization standpoint, but also fights back against the retention of migrant detention. It's all connected. It's about the state retaining power over migrant bodies, our bodies. Power to label and categorize, to include and exclude as it sees fit. Ideally, we should be able to sponsor our friends and colleagues under immigration law. Unfortunately, we have regressed in this arena and are now up against the enforcement-first immigration agenda. The movement for immigration reform–permeated in heterosexuality–has to incorporate queer voices and politics, and not just from ‘Immigration Equality,’ which mainly advocates for gay American citizens without really questioning the problems with the conception of ‘citizenship’ — a construction imbued in routine violence. Given the experiences of a second-class queer citizenship, what should constitute immigration politics is an inclusive effort to recognize citizenship as a violent construct that must not be denied to those who seek it. The concept of citizen has historically evolved violently from property-owning white males to include white women, freed slaves, immigrants of various nationalities, and people from colonized islands. Marriage as a regressive institution aside, to oppose expanding citizenship to undocumented immigrants and LGBT partners is not only socially regressive but ignores the fact that citizenship has never been an immutable concept. And hopefully, one day we can decenter, deconstruct and destroy it. In the meantime, UAFA supporters are not asking for marriage; they are asking for the right to live with the person we love, to keep their families together. Lets open our arms and invite them to the party. Actually, look around. We are already here. It's just time to acknowledge our presence. |