Texas Wants To Deport Gay Millionaire (Press, 25 October 1983)

Richard John Longstaff, a 44-year-old Englishman who runs two clothing stores in Texas, has been denied United States citizenship due to his homosexuality and is now facing deportation to the United Kingdom. Longstaff has lived in the US since 1965, but his legal troubles began in 1976 when he applied for citizenship. During the naturalisation process, immigration officials alleged that he violated Texas penal laws that criminalise homosexual behaviour. This led to excessive scrutiny, harassment, and threats from immigration officials, according to Longstaff, who described the situation as extremely unjust. Despite his efforts to gain citizenship, Longstaff lost his case in a federal court in Houston and subsequently in an appeals court in New Orleans. Legal experts indicate that he is now considered to be in the US illegally, which makes him subject to expulsion. Longstaff has reportedly spent $20,000 on legal fees and is contemplating whether to appeal to the Supreme Court. While immigration officials have not made official comments on his case, Longstaff revealed that he has been frequently warned of the risk of imminent deportation. The roots of his situation can be traced back to the Walter-McCarran Immigration Act of 1952, which effectively excluded homosexuals by categorising them as "psychopathic personalities." When Longstaff immigrated in 1965, he answered "No" to a question regarding any affliction with a psychopathic personality. However, federal judges later found this response misleading due to his previous homosexual activities, leading to the assessment that he lacked good moral character. The current landscape concerning homosexuality within the United States is evolving, as public attitudes have softened over the years. Notably, the Texas law that criminalised homosexual acts was declared unconstitutional a year prior. Furthermore, homosexuality has increasingly gained visibility and acceptance across the country, with LGBTQ+ individuals forming significant political alliances and advocacy groups. Complicating matters for Longstaff is the fact that he does not currently possess an immigration card, having lost it some time ago, and the Immigration Service has yet to issue a replacement. He wishes to visit his family in England but fears that leaving the US would result in his permanent exclusion from re-entering. Reflecting on his ordeal, Longstaff expressed regret over his decision to pursue American citizenship, stating that if he had known the extent of the injustices he would face, he would not have attempted to become a citizen. Nevertheless, upon recognising the unfair treatment he received, he chose to fight for his rights in court.

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