Skip to main content
HR 1537 112th Congress House

Uniting American Families Act of 2011

Official title: To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to promote family unity, and for other purposes.

Introduced: April 27, 2012 Introduced by: Nadler, Jerrold Democratic · New York See on congress.gov
Immigration Immigration status and proceduresMarriage and family status
This bill died when the 112th Congress ended
It never became law before the 112th Congress (2011–2012) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jun 1, 2011
Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration Policy and Enforcement.
Apr 14, 2011
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Apr 14, 2011
Introduced in House
 Ask about this bill AI · grounded in the bill text

Have a question about what this bill does? Ask in plain English; the answer is drawn from the bill's actual text and official record, and it'll tell you when something isn't in the text rather than guess.

AI answers can be imperfect; always confirm against the full bill text.

 Latest action June 1, 2011

Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration Policy and Enforcement.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Uniting American Families Act of 2011 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to include a "permanent partner" within the scope of such Act. Defines a "permanent partner" as an individual 18 or older who: (1) is in a committed, intimate relationship with another individual 18 or older in which both individuals intend a lifelong commitment; (2) is financially interdependent with the other individual; (3) is not married to, or in a permanent partnership with, anyone other than the individual; (4) is unable to contract with the other individual a marriage cognizable under this Act; and (5) is not a first, second, or third degree blood relation of the other individual.

Defines: (1) "permanent partnership" as the relationship existing between two permanent partners, and (2) "alien permanent partner" as the individual in a permanent partnership who is being sponsored for a visa.

 Related & companion bills 2
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 80
Dent, Charles
· Dec 13, 2012
D
Van Hollen, Chris
Maryland · Sep 14, 2012
REYES, SILVESTRE
· Jul 18, 2012
Carnahan, Russ
· Jun 8, 2012
D
Neal, Richard E.
Massachusetts · Apr 27, 2012
D
Bonamici, Suzanne
Oregon · Mar 8, 2012
BACA, JOE
· Dec 16, 2011
PAYNE, DONALD
· Dec 16, 2011
D
Murphy, Christopher
Connecticut · Dec 2, 2011
D
Velázquez, Nydia M.
New York · Nov 4, 2011
D
Peters, Gary C.
Michigan · Oct 3, 2011
D
Larson, John B.
Connecticut · Sep 15, 2011
D
Cleaver, Emanuel
Missouri · Sep 7, 2011
D
Thompson, Mike
California · Sep 7, 2011
D
Davis, Danny K.
Illinois · Aug 9, 2011
D
Garamendi, John
California · Jul 15, 2011
D
Keating, William R.
Massachusetts · Jul 15, 2011
D
Wilson, Frederica S.
Florida · Jul 15, 2011
Hanabusa, Colleen
· Jul 8, 2011
Miller, Brad
· Jun 24, 2011
D
Markey, Edward J.
Massachusetts · Jun 14, 2011
D
Scott, Robert C. "Bobby"
Virginia · May 26, 2011
CUMMINGS, ELIJAH
· May 5, 2011
D
Sherman, Brad
California · May 5, 2011
LEVIN, SANDER
· Apr 15, 2011
ACKERMAN, GARY
· Apr 14, 2011
D
Baldwin, Tammy
Wisconsin · Apr 14, 2011
BECERRA, XAVIER
· Apr 14, 2011
BERKLEY, SHELLEY
· Apr 14, 2011
BERMAN, HOWARD
· Apr 14, 2011
BRADY, ROBERT
· Apr 14, 2011
CAPUANO, MICHAEL
· Apr 14, 2011
D
Carson, André
Indiana · Apr 14, 2011
D
Castor, Kathy
Florida · Apr 14, 2011
D
Chu, Judy
California · Apr 14, 2011
D
Clarke, Yvette D.
New York · Apr 14, 2011
D
Clyburn, James E.
South Carolina · Apr 14, 2011
D
Courtney, Joe
Connecticut · Apr 14, 2011
CROWLEY, JOSEPH
· Apr 14, 2011
D
DeGette, Diana
Colorado · Apr 14, 2011
D
DeLauro, Rosa L.
Connecticut · Apr 14, 2011
FRANK, BARNEY
· Apr 14, 2011
GUTIERREZ, LUIS
· Apr 14, 2011
D
Heinrich, Martin
New Mexico · Apr 14, 2011
D
Himes, James A.
Connecticut · Apr 14, 2011
HINCHEY, MAURICE
· Apr 14, 2011
D
Hirono, Mazie K.
Hawaii · Apr 14, 2011
D
Hoyer, Steny H.
Maryland · Apr 14, 2011
INSLEE, JAY
· Apr 14, 2011
D
Johnson, Henry C. "Hank"
Georgia · Apr 14, 2011
Page 1 of 2 Next
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 1537: Uniting American Families Act of 2011. 112th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-1537/
MLA
"H.R. 1537: Uniting American Families Act of 2011." 112th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-1537/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 1537, 112th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-1537/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 1537: Uniting American Families Act of 2011](https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-1537/)
Report a problem