Happy Pride Month! Here at Guberman // Appleby Immigration Lawyers, we are proud to serve the 2SLGBTQ+ community year-round.
US Immigration Law: From Barriers to Breakthroughs
Throughout much of the history of U.S. immigration law, being part of the 2SLGBTQ+ community came with serious challenges. Beginning with the Immigration Act of 1917, U.S. immigration law excluded gay and gender-nonconforming people from immigrating to the U.S.
In the 1960s and 1970s, gay and lesbian individuals, as well as same-sex couples, challenged the restrictive norms that negatively impacted their families. These challenges were met with harsh denials, often including offensive language and slurs right in the official decisions.
The HIV/AIDS crisis of the 1980s brought further immigration challenges. Not all members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community were living with HIV/AIDS, and many people who were not members of the community were also affected. Regardless, the stereotype persisted for many years. From 1987 until 2010, people with HIV were barred from immigrating to the U.S.
Over the years, relentless advocacy forced positive change. Starting in 2013, USCIS began recognizing same-sex marriages for immigration purposes. In April 2024, USCIS began to offer a gender identity marker of X for nonbinary people. Although the U.S. is currently in a moment of regression, the overall historical trend has been toward inclusion.
For individuals and families navigating a complex and changing system, working with experienced U.S. immigration lawyers can provide clarity, guidance, and support.
Not Just a Bandwagon: Our Team’s Experience
At Guberman // Appleby Immigration Lawyers, working with the 2SLGBTQ+ community is not just a once-a-year affair. Our team has both professional and lived experience to navigate complex U.S. and Canadian immigration matters alongside clients who are members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community.
Our partners Joel Guberman and Lainie Appleby have been filing same-sex common-law petitions for couples immigrating to Canada since at least 2002, well before same-sex marriage was legalized in Canada in 2005. For clients looking for guidance with Canadian immigration matters, our Canadian immigration lawyers are here to help.
Similarly, our U.S. immigration lawyer Ginger Devaney brings unique experience to the table. She previously served as president of the USCIS LGBT Employee Resource Group, and she has dedicated much of her career to serving trans and gender-diverse communities, ensuring clients have the best possible support when government forms do not quite match their lived reality.
Whether your immigration matter is related to your 2SLGBTQ+ status or you simply want a lawyer who understands and respects you and your family, we are here to assist you. Learn more about our experienced immigration lawyers and how we support clients with compassion, clarity, and care.
Even as laws and policies remain in flux, our team monitors them for you so you will never be alone on this journey. Love wins, and happy Pride!
