This week we are writing to five senators. Per the request of staffers that was conveyed in a previous post entitled "Letter Writing and List Etiquette - An Important Update" please use the form letter below and adjust for only the material in bold. The targets and their contact info immediately follow the sample letter.

Dear [Staffer Name / Senator Name],

I am writing to you to ask for [your] [Senator Name's] support by becoming a co-sponsor of the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA; S. 424/H.R. 1024 ) sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Patrick Leahy and in the House by Rep. Jerrold Nadler.

[I am] [I know people] directly affected by the current unfair immigration policies in this country that deny gay and lesbian Americans the right to sponsor their permanent partner to live with them in the United States .

As you may be aware, these Americans in loving and committed relationships are often forced to make heartbreaking decisions to maintain their relationship. More often than not, these include having to leave the United States in order to be with the person they love. These American citizens are forced to give up careers, leave behind aging parents and young adult children who rely on them and leave a community which benefits from their ongoing and active participation.

The Uniting American Families Act (UAFA) simply seeks to provide gay and lesbian U.S. citizens and permanent residents the right to sponsor their partner for immigration. It outlines the same process and penalties as applied in heterosexual partner (i.e., marriage or fiancée) sponsorship applications. By co-sponsoring this bill, [you are] [Senator's Name is] showing [your] [his/her] dedication to equality and the belief that no American should be forced to choose between their country and the person they love.

Thank you for your time on this important matter. I hope that [your name] [Senator Name's name] will be added to the list co-sponsors on this bill, and [you] [Senator's Name] will support the UAFA's inclusion in any discussions concerning Comprehensive Immigration Reform.

Respectfully,

[YOUR NAME]

Member, Out4Immigration

www.out4immigration .org

Senator Dianne Feinstein
United States Senate
331 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-0504
Phone: 202-224-3841
Fax: 202-228-3954
http://feinstein. senate.gov/ public/index. cfm?FuseAction= ContactUs. EmailMe

Senator Arlen Specter
United States Senate
711 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-3802
Phone: 202-224-4254
Fax: 202-228-1229
http://specter. senate.gov/ public/index. cfm?FuseAction= Contact.ContactF orm

Senator Amy Klobuchar
United States Senate
302 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-2307
Phone: 202-224-3244
Fax: 202-228-2186
http://klobuchar. senate.gov/ emailamy. cfm?contactForm= emailamy&submit=Go

Senator Susan Collins
United States Senate
413 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-1904
Phone: 202-224-2523
Fax: 202-224-2693
http://collins. senate.gov/ public/continue. cfm?FuseAction= ContactSenatorCo llins.EmailIssue

Senator Olympia Snowe
United States Senate
154 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-1903
Phone: 202-224-5344
Fax: 202-224-1946
http://snowe. senate.gov/ public/index. cfm?FuseAction= ContactSenatorSn owe.Email