Get my husband home.
Donation protected
I first laid eyes on the love of my life back in 2008. Damiano had just moved to New York City from Italy with nothing but a dream of a better life in the U.S. and leaving a painful and tormented past behind.
Instantly, I knew he was the one.
We connected and were inseparable from the start. Being that he was not a U.S. citizen and I, the American, in a same-sex relationship, we were unable to take advantage of applying for citizenship through marriage, due to the discriminatory aspects of the U.S. immigration system. Luckily, with the dismantling of DOMA, same sex couples will no longer be exposed to similar injustices. But we are still experiencing the after effects of DOMA, an inherently discriminatory law.
We could have gone an unethical route. We could have easily found a woman for Damiano to marry (for a price) to have the right to stay in the U.S., like so many people I know. But we wanted him here for OUR relationship. We felt that it was OUR right to be able to marry who we loved. We agreed he should not be forced to lie to the government about who he was and who he loved.
We waited until we could legally marry in New York City and, in 2012, we tied the knot at City Hall. Still being denied our rights by the U.S. government and immigration system, we couldn’t apply for his U.S. citizenship. Our marriage was still not yet federally recognized, due to DOMA’s discriminatory provisions.
Unfortunately, Damiano needed an invasive (and expensive) back surgery, resulting from a condition he had since childhood. His condition was resulting in crippling pain that worsened literally by the day. Without Damiano being a legal resident, I could not get him health insurance to cover the astronomical cost of his required surgery.
In September 2012, we had to make the heartbreaking decision to leave New York City - our home - to move out of the country, so Damiano could have his health restored by obtaining his necessary operation at a cost we could afford. We left knowing this would result in a 10 year ban from the U.S. for Damiano, despite our marriage.
These past few years have been heartbreaking. Italy doesn't recognize our union, creating a complex legal situation regarding the legality of my residence. I was obligated to travel back and forth, for months at a time, between the U.S. and Italy, all in an effort to be next to the man I love.
Aside from this being emotionally tormenting, it was also unimaginably expensive for me. I am currently living in San Diego, so I can fight towards getting him back to the U.S. Once again, we find ourselves separated and heartbroken.
With Damiano being fairly rehabilitated, we want more than anything to reunite. Given the past expenses, we can't possibly afford the immigration attorney we need. While I do not feel it's fair we are still suffering the repercussions of discriminatory immigration policies that put us in this place, we understand the need to appease the U.S. government, so we can be together, in peace.
Please help us reunite, by getting him back to the U.S. Not in 10 years or 5 years. We deserve to be together now. Please help up reach our goal of living peacefully and legally in the United States. Any donation is appreciated.
Thank you for taking the time to read our story. Spreading the knowledge that unjust situations such as ours still exist, despite the dismantling of DOMA, makes telling our story worthwhile.
Please spread this post as far and wide as possible.
Thank you,
Anthony and Damiano
Instantly, I knew he was the one.
We connected and were inseparable from the start. Being that he was not a U.S. citizen and I, the American, in a same-sex relationship, we were unable to take advantage of applying for citizenship through marriage, due to the discriminatory aspects of the U.S. immigration system. Luckily, with the dismantling of DOMA, same sex couples will no longer be exposed to similar injustices. But we are still experiencing the after effects of DOMA, an inherently discriminatory law.
We could have gone an unethical route. We could have easily found a woman for Damiano to marry (for a price) to have the right to stay in the U.S., like so many people I know. But we wanted him here for OUR relationship. We felt that it was OUR right to be able to marry who we loved. We agreed he should not be forced to lie to the government about who he was and who he loved.
We waited until we could legally marry in New York City and, in 2012, we tied the knot at City Hall. Still being denied our rights by the U.S. government and immigration system, we couldn’t apply for his U.S. citizenship. Our marriage was still not yet federally recognized, due to DOMA’s discriminatory provisions.
Unfortunately, Damiano needed an invasive (and expensive) back surgery, resulting from a condition he had since childhood. His condition was resulting in crippling pain that worsened literally by the day. Without Damiano being a legal resident, I could not get him health insurance to cover the astronomical cost of his required surgery.
In September 2012, we had to make the heartbreaking decision to leave New York City - our home - to move out of the country, so Damiano could have his health restored by obtaining his necessary operation at a cost we could afford. We left knowing this would result in a 10 year ban from the U.S. for Damiano, despite our marriage.
These past few years have been heartbreaking. Italy doesn't recognize our union, creating a complex legal situation regarding the legality of my residence. I was obligated to travel back and forth, for months at a time, between the U.S. and Italy, all in an effort to be next to the man I love.
Aside from this being emotionally tormenting, it was also unimaginably expensive for me. I am currently living in San Diego, so I can fight towards getting him back to the U.S. Once again, we find ourselves separated and heartbroken.
With Damiano being fairly rehabilitated, we want more than anything to reunite. Given the past expenses, we can't possibly afford the immigration attorney we need. While I do not feel it's fair we are still suffering the repercussions of discriminatory immigration policies that put us in this place, we understand the need to appease the U.S. government, so we can be together, in peace.
Please help us reunite, by getting him back to the U.S. Not in 10 years or 5 years. We deserve to be together now. Please help up reach our goal of living peacefully and legally in the United States. Any donation is appreciated.
Thank you for taking the time to read our story. Spreading the knowledge that unjust situations such as ours still exist, despite the dismantling of DOMA, makes telling our story worthwhile.
Please spread this post as far and wide as possible.
Thank you,
Anthony and Damiano
Organizer and beneficiary
Anthony Urgo
Organizer
San Diego, CA
T Meier
Beneficiary
