Permanent Partners Immigration Act of 2001

This bill would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to allow U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents to sponsor their same-sex "permanent partners" for residency in the United States. Under the proposal, these partners would be granted the same immigration benefits and status currently available to spouses of U.S. citizens and residents.

For citizens in committed same-sex relationships with non-citizens, the bill's primary impact would be providing a legal pathway to keep their families together in the U.S. without the requirement of a marriage recognized under federal law at that time. To qualify, partners would need to demonstrate they are at least 18 years old, in a committed and financially interdependent relationship, and not in a marriage or partnership with anyone else.