Customs lines for folks entering the United States was just another source of discrimination against same-sex couples. But the inequity might soon be a thing of the past as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announces a proposal to change its policy on the way it processes families through customs. Details follow.

Same-sex couples looking to enjoy the same right to a dual customs screening process that heterosexual couples enjoy received good news from Homeland Security. According to a proposed change that will be officially published on Tuesday, gay and lesbian couples returning to the country will no longer be forced to go through customs separately; instead, same-sex couples can now be processed together, a benefit their straight counterparts have enjoyed for decades.

Reads Homeland Secuirty's proposal:

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is proposing to revise its regulations regarding U.S. returning residents who are eligible to file a single customs declaration for members of a family traveling together upon arrival in the United States. Specifically, CBP is proposing to expand the definition of the term “members of a family residing in one household” to allow more U.S. returning residents to file a family customs declaration for articles acquired abroad. CBP anticipates that this proposed change will reduce the amount of paperwork that CBP officers would need to review during inspection and, therefore, facilitate passenger processing. CBP believes that this proposed change would more accurately reflect relationships between members of the public who are traveling together as a family.

Though the No. 1 reason the CBP provides for the rule change is to "reduce the amount of paperwork," we still applaud the move for fairness.

The department is giving the public 60 days from tomorrow to comment on the proposal before issuing a decision.

Let 'em know how you feel here:

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments via Docket No. USCBP 2012-0008.
• Mail: Trade and Commercial Regulations Branch, Regulations and Rulings, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, 799 9th Street, N.W. (Mint Annex), Washington, D.C. 20229-1179.

(Source)

Comments (9)

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written by david olsen, March 26, 2012

it took this long to realize fairness and less paperwork? I say fire all them low IQ d dummys

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written by Lilly, March 26, 2012

Took them long enough, but it's better than nothing. Small steps toward equality

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written by Kenton Campbell, March 26, 2012

One problem is that until DOMA is repealed or declared unconstitutional by SCOTUS, this interpretation of Customs law is illegal. Federal agencies are forbidden to treat same-sex couples the same as opposite-sex couples, per Section 3 of DOMA. Section 3 has been found unconstitutional in several rulings across the country, and Obama has instructed the DOJ to cease defending it, but until the appeals on those decisions make it to SCOTUS and get a definitive answer, DOMA still applies and prevents this new interpretation from taking place.

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written by Shayne, March 26, 2012

This always bothered me when I traveled with my partner. I am glad they are addressing this.

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written by mx, March 26, 2012

they pull my visa away when they found out my bf was a guy like me. But the bad thing about this is my bf just did not do nothing and forget about me. I'm doing better but I was very sad

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written by Mackey, March 26, 2012

Kenton Campbell, I believe you are misunderstanding the article. This has nothing to do with immigration or marriage but rather expanding the definition of members of a household. Similar to filing taxes as head of household you can claim people in the house as dependents even if they are not of relation, and even if they are a same sex partner. DOMA doesnt apply here.

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written by Mark Linenberg, March 27, 2012

It would be nice to be able to go through customs with my husband of two years when we return from out of the country. I await the day when our marriage is recognized across the country, not just in countries outside of the United States! Every step towards equality is a step forward. One step at a time!

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written by David G. Mils, March 29, 2012

Really..and I thought that Customs was part of the Federal Government & the Federal Government has a law (Defense of Marriage Act aka DOMA). I know this administration hates DOMA, but it is the law.

So is this administration going to allow U.S. Customs to violate a FEDERAL LAW?

I'm sick and tired of Obama deciding to what laws to uphold or not

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