Posted on 10/03/2012 3:26:06 AM PDT by markomalley
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is drawing flak for its decision to instruct U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to recognize same-sex partnerships in making immigration decisions.
"In an effort to make clear the definition of the phrase 'family relationships,' I have directed ICE to disseminate written guidance to the field that the interpretation of the phrase 'family relationships' includes long-term, same-sex partners," said Janet Napolitano, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security.
The commitment to redefine “family relationships” to include same-sex couples came in a Sept. 27 letter to legislators who had called on the department to specifically mention homosexual partnerships in its immigration guidelines.
Family ties are among the factors included in department guidelines for “prosecutorial discretion” in determining whether an immigrant will receive a stay of deportation.
As with other factors, Napolitano explained, “the applicability of the 'family relationships' factor is weighed on an individualized basis” when considering “whether prosecutorial discretion is appropriate.”
But Napolitano’s decision to did not sit well with advocates of preserving the meaning of marriage and existing federal law.
“This is just another example of the federal government trying to skirt the Defense of Marriage Act,” said Brian Brown, president of the National Organization for Marriage.
“The reality is that this administration, whenever it has had a chance, has tried to undermine the Defense of Marriage Act,” Brown told EWTN News on Oct. 2.
This has been done through the Obama administration’s refusal to defend the 1996 law in court, its repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell and recent “changes in administrative procedures in relation to the family,” he said.
While the administration has seen a pushback against its efforts – including a commitment by Speaker of the House John Boehner to defend the law – much of the federal bureaucracy seems to have “been given a free pass to undermine DOMA,” he observed. “I think it’s trickling down into agency after agency.”
“It’s clear that you’re not going to be able to overturn DOMA through Congress,” he explained, so instead, same-sex unions are being promoted “incrementally through administrative changes.”
“The question is whether people will wake up and say enough is enough,” Brown remarked.
He believes that “marriage is going to be a key issue” in the upcoming election.
“People are suffering. The economy is bad,” he acknowledged. “But that doesn’t mean that people aren’t voting their values. This is going to be a major issue this election.”
Brown explained that the exact states that Obama needs to win in order to succeed in the election are the same states that have “overwhelmingly” voted to preserve marriage as the union of one man and one woman.
This is “not a winning issue” for Obama, he said.
And Brown believes that voters can see the differences between the candidates in this election.
“The two sides could not be further apart. Their positions are clear,” he said. “It’s just that simple.”
Homeland security - we need to dismantle it, and do it now before it gets any more powerful
They are already too powerful.
Much of the illegal actions they take are done through coersion and intimidation. They aren’t satisfied with airports; they have branched out to other public venues, highways, and they will be on your neighborhood street one day. They have weapons that a strike unit in the military would drool over. They have armored MRAPS and other strike/command vehicles.
Obama’s 2008 Civilian Defense Corps, as well armed, as well funded as the military. A Gestapo meant to oppress civilians, period.
This has NOTHING TO DO WITH ILLEGAL/CRIMINAL invaders having broken THE LAW. Simply pandering for the sex deviate vote (Voter ID suppresion is needed to keep the Illegals voting for Democrats).
LLS
The first thing they can do is to usher that b!tch Napolitano out of her office under armed escort the very second Mitt has completed the oath of office.
The next thing they can do is to stop hiring criminals and third-worlders with a grudge against Americans.
We need to dismantle DHS and that other monster, TSA.
There is no sane reason that the federal government needs so many armed alphabet agencies. I can see a need for FBI and NSA, but after that CIA should be part of NSA, as the Marshall’s office should be part of the FBI. I’d also merge ICE, Secret Service, DEA, and a dozen others into the FBI. Once the merge took place the agency would be just too big and would need a thorough house cleaning with the generous issuing of pink slips to all who didn’t qualify (think mostly of TSA and DHS).
No more HOmeland Security..its not their job to define anything..
Big Sis wants all the same-sex partners in the country she can get. That’s to be expected when lesbians are in charge of government departments.
One agent murdered and two shot at in less than 2 days in Naco Arizona and she’s got time for this?
They must appoint an independent prosecutor to investigate all of this treason and to prosecute ALL violations.
LLS
they are also on the water - in Florida they have taken over FWC, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission - (what used to the game warden functions)- they now give out water traffic tickets - I hate them, they are aggressive, run the waters in unmarked boats and they openly violate our boater registration laws - i.e. their boats have no registration sticker or “FL-Numbers”
The new “Blue Helmets” of the American future.
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