Unauthorized Love: Mixed-Citizenship Couples Negotiating Intimacy, Immigration, and the State

Unauthorized Love is a book that looks at how love survives, thrives, and dies as lovers contend with US immigration policy. It explores the challenges faced by mixed-citizenship couples, who have the universal civil right to marry but not the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness on US soil. Jane López argues for a rethinking of citizenship as a family affair and offers a comprehensive and critical look at US family reunification law and its consequences.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 280 pages
Publication date: 11 November 2021
Publisher: Stanford University Press

A rich and captivating exploration of the complex dynamics of love in the face of U.S. immigration policy unfolds in Jane López's groundbreaking book, "Unauthorized Love." Through in-depth narratives and critical analysis, López delves into the challenges and triumphs experienced by mixed-citizenship couples as they navigate the intricate web of laws and regulations that govern their relationships.

While the U.S. Supreme Court has affirmed the universal civil right to marry, guaranteeing every couple's ability to wed, it has simultaneously denied that this right extends to married couples' right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness on U.S. soil. This creates a significant challenge for mixed-citizenship couples, as their individual-level rights do not automatically translate to family-level protections.

While U.S. citizens can extend legal inclusion to their spouses through family reunification, they must prove their worthiness and the worthiness of their love before their relationship is officially recognized by the state. In "Unauthorized Love," López offers a comprehensive and critical examination of U.S. family reunification law and its impact on the lives of 56 mixed-citizenship American couples.

Through their stories of integration and alienation, opportunity and inequality, hope and despair, López brings to life the consequences of current immigration laws that often favor Whiteness, wealth, and heteronormativity, as well as prioritize the individual over the family unit in awarding membership and official belonging.

López's book sheds light on the experiences of couples struggling to negotiate intimacy within the constraints of immigration policy, advocating for a rethinking of citizenship as a family affair. She challenges the notion that love is solely a personal choice and emphasizes the importance of recognizing the familial and legal implications of romantic relationships.

By examining the complexities of love and immigration, "Unauthorized Love" offers a valuable contribution to the ongoing debate about immigration policy and its impact on families. It serves as a reminder of the human stories behind the headlines and highlights the need for policies that prioritize the well-being and unity of mixed-citizenship couples.

In conclusion, "Unauthorized Love" is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of love, immigration, and the intersection of personal and legal rights. Jane López's powerful storytelling and critical analysis provide a valuable perspective on a topic that continues to shape our society.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781503629721