This is a really sad story – and just one of thousands out there, about bi-national couples forced to lie, separate or put one member of the couple’s health at risk because of discriminatory immigration policies.
In this case a New York couple who’ve lived by the (ridiculous) rules, now face separation and state and federal governments face increased costs, because Edwin Blesch (who has HIV) will lose his primary care-giver, and husband, if the US immigration service gets its way.
Blesch, 70, and his South African husband, Tim Smulian, 65, have been spending six months on Long Island and six months abroad to comply with Smulian’s tourist visa. But Blesch, who has HIV, suffered several mini-strokes and other complications and is now unable to travel safely, meaning he risks losing his carer and husband if they stick to the law.
As he told journalist Erica Pearson “It’s not a good idea for me to be away, and it’s not a good idea for me to be away from Tim.
The men were married in South Africa in 1999, a union that is recognized by New York State and Suffolk County where they live in NY.
So – these guys can apparently share a fishing license but not a home. The law sucks.
“This is a basic right – to fall in love with and live with the person you want to. The pursuit of happiness, I guess you’d call it,” Blesch said.
Tags: Edwin Blesch, Erica Pearson, New York Daily news gay marriage, New York marriage equality, South Africa gay marriage, Tim Smulian, US marriage equality
