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Letter to the Hon. Mike Pompeo, Secretary of State - Schneider Leads 100+ Democratic Members Urging Trump Administration to Reverse Decision to Deny Visas to Same-Sex Partners of Foreign Diplomats

Letter

By: Ruben Gallego, Ami Bera, Jim Costa, Salud Carbajal, Grace Napolitano, Karen Bass, Nanette Barragán, Diana DeGette, Elizabeth Esty, Kathy Castor, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Colleen Hanabusa, Luis Gutiérrez, Cheri Bustos, Katherine Clark, John Delaney, Betty McCollum, Donald Norcross, Don Payne, Jr., Dina Titus, Grace Meng, Jerry Nadler, José Serrano, Paul Tonko, Earl Blumenauer, Matt Cartwright, Sheila Jackson Lee, Don Beyer, Jr., Derek Kilmer, Mark Pocan, Brad Schneider, Terri Sewell, Doris Matsui, Jackie Speier, Jimmy Panetta, Brad Sherman, Norma Torres, Mark Takano, Susan Davis, Jim Himes, Charlie Crist, Jr., Ted Deutch, David Scott, Robin Kelly, Bill Foster, Joe Kennedy III, Anthony Brown, Debbie Dingell, David Price, Bill Pascrell, Jr., Ben Luján, Jr., Gregory Meeks, Yvette Clarke, Joe Crowley, Sean Maloney, Suzanne Bonamici, Dwight Evans, Steve Cohen, Donald McEachin, Suzan DelBene, Denny Heck, Jared Huffman, Mark DeSaulnier, Ro Khanna, Judy Chu, Ted Lieu, Linda Sánchez, Alan Lowenthal, Joe Courtney, Eleanor Norton, Alcee Hastings, Sr., Frederica Wilson, Tulsi Gabbard, Mike Quigley, John Yarmuth, Seth Moulton, Jamie Raskin, Keith Ellison, Frank Pallone, Jr., Bonnie Watson Coleman, Ruben Kihuen, Nydia Velázquez, Carolyn Maloney, Eliot Engel, Brian Higgins, Peter DeFazio, David Cicilline, Joaquin Castro, Gerry Connolly, Pramila Jayapal, Mike Thompson, Barbara Lee, Zoe Lofgren, Adam Schiff, Jimmy Gomez, Lucille Roybal-Allard, Scott Peters, Rosa DeLauro, Darren Soto, Lois Frankel, John Lewis, Dave Loebsack, Jan Schakowsky, Jim McGovern, Bill Keating, Chellie Pingree, Rick Nolan, Albio Sires, Michelle Lujan Grisham, Kathleen Rice, Hakeem Jeffries, Adriano Espaillat, Nita Lowey, Tim Ryan, Bob Brady, Jim Langevin, Bobby Scott, Peter Welch, Adam Smith
Date: Oct. 5, 2018
Issues: Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Immigration

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,


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