Hatch Amendment #1428 Ending the Widow Penalty Passes Unanimously

[snake in the grass]

Source: Surviving Spouses Against Deportation

July 9, 2009 - THE HATCH AMENDMENT WHICH INCLUDES A FIX TO THE WIDOW PENALTY WAS UNANIMOUSLY AGREED TO BE INCLUDED IN THE SENATE HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS BILL! THANKS ARE DUE TO SENATOR HATCH, SENATOR NELSON, SENATOR MENENDEZ, AND SENATOR GILLIBRAND FOR THEIR LEADERSHIP ON THIS ISSUE! Now, the bill goes to the House for reconciliation between the House DHS appropriations bill and the Senate version. If passed by House and Senate, it then goes to the President for signature. Be prepared to respond to calls for advocacy when they come!

Read more: http://ssad.org/legislation.html

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This is really great news and it brings the surviving spouses one step closer to true closure. I've linked to the Surviving Spouses website, as this news hasn't been covered anywhere else. For those of you who are in the dark on the matter, here is my original post:

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/snake%20in%20the%20grass/3

YouTube video of 60 Minutes report:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zh0BdmlN8qs

Thanks to all and let's keep this running.

-Snake

[boppers]

1. I think Hatch is a horrible person.

That being said, this bill was needed. I heard a real heart breaker of a soldier being killed, and his wife facing deportation, on NPR the other day, and thought it was just plain morally wrong.

[snake in the grass]

2. I agree.

It's strange that Hatch initiated this, but in the end I don't care either. My friend here in L.A. is one of the widows in the class action suit and this decision brings her one step closer to finally being able to put the horror behind her. I was disappointed that Napolitano chose to only go half way after the 9th circuit ruled in favour of the plaintiffs. The deportations have stopped, but the uncertainty is still there. Furthermore, Brent Renison, the lawyer handling this case wrote us yesterday that the DHS is considering appealing the recent ruling. My jaw dropped when I read that. Five courts have ruled in favour of the plaintiffs. Do they really need to do this?

We'll just have to wait and watch, but this news is very positive.

[boppers]

3. I think it should be kicked all the way to the Supremes.

With DHS fighting half-heartedly all the way. Note the "half-heartedly" part.

:evilgrin:

[sandnsea]

5. Glad somebody gets it n/t

[boppers]

4. Shameless kick for a social issue I care about. eom