Please read the following response from Homeland Security to my note Border Madness from 06/16. I am very interested in those of you who are heterosexual unmarried couples and your experience with US customs. Thanks in advance.
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Timothy J Goyer, Executive Director, Admissibility and Passenger Programs
Office of Field Operations
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Washington, D.C. 20029
Dear Mr. Ferguson,
Thank you for your correspondence, which we received on June 25, 2009, wherein you expressed concern that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) does not allow you and your common law partner to file a joint Customs Declaration (CBP Form 6059B) when applying for admission into the United States.
Please know that CBP understands your concerns in this matter. However, pursuant to Title 19, Section 148.34(b) of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, a joint declaration may be files only by persons who (1) are related by blood, marriage, or adoption, (2) have lived together in one household at their last permanent residence; and (3) intend to live together in one household after arrival in the United States.
As a law enforcement agency, CBP must enforce the statues as passed by the United States Congress. With regard to marriage, CBP is bound to observe the Defense of Marriage Act (Public Law No. 104-199), which was signed into law on September 21, 1996, and defines marriage as a legal union exclusively between one man and one woman. Any change to this statue would require action on the part of the United States Congress.
I appreciate your interest in U.S. Customs and Border Protection. If we may offer further assistance, please contact Mr. Mark Hill, a member of my staff, at (202) 344-2652.
Sincerely,
Timothy J Goyer
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