Flurry of Articles on UAFA
Published October 23, 2009 @ 12:15PM PT
There has been a flurry of editorials written since last week about the need to pass the Uniting American Families Act as well as its inclusion in the upcoming Comprehensive Immigration Reform.
We are asking that you post your comments to thank the writer for speaking out on this issue as well as respond to the anti-immigrant, anti-LGBT hateful comments that were posted.
Here are some of the articles:
1) Pass the Uniting American Families Act By Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) - The Hill
2) Why more binational couples are leaving their homelands for Canada - The Big Picture / Family immigration not an option in most countries - Capital Xtra
3) Gutierrez: Do the right thing - Windy City Times
4) Gay partners seeking immigration changes - Post-gazette News
5) South Bay couple has high hopes for the 'Reuniting Families Act' - San Jose Mercury News
6) Growing Calls for Immigration Reform That Leaves No Family Behind - Huffington Post
7) Keep Our Families Together — Reform Immigration Laws by Rep Mike Honda - RollCall.com
8) Gay Immigrants - South Florida Blade
9) Progressive principles for new immigration reform bill ... we've got a few of our own - Daily Kos
10) Immigration reform bill intrigues gay advocates -Washington Blade
Out4Immigration were also at the National Equality March 2 weekends ago and our picture have been captured by someone and included in this beautiful video that has been posted on Youtube.
You can view more pictures of our small contingent on our facebook page.
Week 34 - Letter Writing Campaign
Published October 20, 2009 @ 09:26AM PT
Out4Immigration is an all grassroots organization and our letter writing campaign is now in its 34th week. Each week we write to a list of representatives in Congress or the Senate and ask them to become a cosponsor of the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA) and to support Comprehensive Immigration Reform.
We encourage you to take part in this campaign by using one of three options: (1) The O4I form letter provided below; (2) Your own letter; or (3) Creating a booklet telling your story. See http://tinyurl.com/o4i-toolkit1 for more info on this option.
This week's targets and their contact info is at the end of this post; our sample letter follows. Good luck -- and thanks for taking part in the Out4Immigration letter writing campaign. Each contact we make really does make a difference!
Sample letter:
[Today's Date]
Dear [Congressman/Congresswoman Name],
I am writing to ask you for your support by becoming a co-sponsor of the Uniting American Families Act (H.R. 1024 /UAFA; S. 424) sponsored in the House by Rep. Jerrold Nadler and in the Senate by Sen. Patrick Leahy, and the Reuniting Families Act (H.R. 2709) sponsored in the House by Rep. Mike Honda.
[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.
Both the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA) and the Reuniting Families Act (RFA) simply seek to provide gay and lesbian U.S. citizens and permanent residents the right to sponsor their partner for immigration. Each bill outlines the same process and penalties that are applied in heterosexual partner (i.e., marriage or fiancée) sponsorship applications.
By co-sponsoring these bills, you are showing your 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 will be added to the list co-sponsors on these bills, and you will support their inclusion in any discussions concerning Comprehensive Immigration Reform.
Respectfully,
[YOUR NAME]
Member, Out4Immigration
Congressman Russ Carnahan (D-MO-3)
1710 Longworth HOB
Washington DC, 20515
Fax: (202) 225-7452
russ.carnahan@mail.house.gov
https://forms.house.gov/carnahan/webforms/issue_subscribe.htm
Congressman Gerry Connolly (D-VA-11)
327 Cannon HOB
Washington, D.C. 20515
Fax: (202) 225-3071
gerald.connolly@mail.house.gov
http://gerryconnolly.house.gov/?sectionid=50§iontree=3,50
Congresswoman Marcia Fudge (D-OH-11)
1513 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Fax: (202) 225-1339
marcia.fudge@mail.house.gov
http://fudge.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=51§iontree=3,51
Congressman Alan Grayson (D-FL-8)
455 N. Garland Ave, Ste. 402
Orlando, FL 32801
Fax # 202-225-0999
alan.grayson@mail.house.gov
https://forms.house.gov/grayson/contact-form.shtml
Congresswoman Mary Jo Kilroy (D-OH-15)
1237 Longworth HOB
Washington, D.C. 20515
Phone: (202) 225-2015
Fax: (202) 225-3529
maryjo.kilroy@mail.house.gov
https://kilroyforms.house.gov/Contact/index.shtml
Week 33 -- Letter Writing Campaign
Published October 13, 2009 @ 08:55AM PT
Out4Immigration is an all grassroots organization and our letter writing campaign is now in its 33rd week. Each week we write to a list of representatives in Congress or the Senate and ask them to become a cosponsor of the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA) and to support Comprehensive Immigration Reform.
We encourage you to take part in this campaign by using one of three options: (1) The O4I form letter provided below; (2) Your own letter; or (3) Creating a booklet telling your story. See http://tinyurl.com/o4i-toolkit1 for more info on this option.
This week's targets and their contact info is at the end of this post; our sample letter follows. Good luck -- and thanks for taking part in the Out4Immigration letter writing campaign. Each contact we make really does make a difference!
Sample letter:
[Today's Date]
Dear [Congressman/Congresswoman Name],
I am writing to ask you for your support by becoming a co-sponsor of the Uniting American Families Act (H.R. 1024 /UAFA; S. 424) sponsored in the House by Rep. Jerrold Nadler and in the Senate by Sen. Patrick Leahy, and the Reuniting Families Act (H.R. 2709) sponsored in the House by Rep. Mike Honda.
[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.
Both the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA) and the Reuniting Families Act (RFA) simply seek to provide gay and lesbian U.S. citizens and permanent residents the right to sponsor their partner for immigration. Each bill outlines the same process and penalties that are applied in heterosexual partner (i.e., marriage or fiancée) sponsorship applications.
By co-sponsoring these bills, you are showing your 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 will be added to the list co-sponsors on these bills, and you will support their inclusion in any discussions concerning Comprehensive Immigration Reform.
Respectfully,
[YOUR NAME]
Member, Out4Immigration
This week's contacts are:
Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL-4)
2266 Rayburn House Office Building
District of Columbia 20515-1304
Fax: (202) 225-7810
Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA-32)
2421 Rayburn HOB
Washington, D.C. 20515
Fax: (202) 225-5467
judy.chu@mail.house.gov
https://forms.house.gov/chu/contact-form.shtml
<https://forms.house.gov/chu/contact-form.shtml>
Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO-5)
1027 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Fax: 202-225-4403
emanuel.cleaver@mail.house.gov
http://www.house.gov/cleaver/IMA/issue.htm
<http://www.house.gov/cleaver/IMA/issue.htm>
Rep. Rick Larsen (D-WA-2)
108 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Fax: (202) 225-4420
rick.larsen@mail.house.gov
http://www.house.gov/larsen/contact/
<http://www.house.gov/larsen/contact/>
Rep. John Sarbanes (D-MD-3)
426 Cannon HOB
Washington DC 20515
Fax: (202) 225-9219
john.sarbanes@mail.house.gov
http://sarbanes.house.gov/federal.asp
<http://sarbanes.house.gov/federal.asp>
Call Congress today!
Published October 07, 2009 @ 11:20AM PT
This is the 16th week of a coordinated ‘Call Congress’
grassroots effort. In addition to coordinated e-mails,
faxes, and letters to the members we are focusing on, getting a large number of people to call specific members on the same day could help bring us more co-sponsors.
It is also a way for us to ‘circle back’ to those members we
had focused on that still have not signed on, to remind them how important this is to us and that we’re not going away.
Some suggestion for calling:
• For Congressman Gutierrez:
Tell the staffer:
"I am calling to thank Congressman Gutierrez for being a long-time supporter of the Uniting American Families Act (H.R. 1024) and to urge him to include gay and lesbian families in his comprehensive immigration reform bill!"
• For Senators listed below: Tell the Judiciary staffer that you are calling to urge the Senator to sign on as a co-sponsor of the Uniting American Families Act (S. 424), and to support it's inclusion in Comprehensive Immigration Reform.
• Tell them that we need truly Comprehensive Immigration Reform to pass to stop families like yours from being torn apart.
Please call the following members today, and please follow up with an e-mail or fax using the info. provided.
Congressman Luis Gutierrez (D-IL-4)
Tel: (202) 225-8203
Fax: (202) 225-7810
Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD)
Tel: (202) 224-4654
Ask if you can speak with or leave a voicemail for Ms. Teri Curtis, Judiciary Aide
barbara_mikulski@mikulski.senate.gov
Senator Joe Lieberman (I-CT)
Tel: (202) 224-4041
Ask if you can speak with or leave a voicemail for Mr. Bret Hester, Judiciary Aide
joseph_lieberman@lieberman.senate.gov
Senator Carl Levin (D-MI)
Tel: (202) 224-6221
Ask if you can speak with or leave a voicemail for Ms. Kaye Meier, Judiciary Aide
carl_levin@levin.senate.gov
Senator Mark Udall (D-CO)
Tel: (202) 224-5941
Ask if you can speak with or leave a voicemail for Mr. Jacob Swanton, Judiciary Aide
mark_udall@markudall.senate.gov
Week 32 of Letter Writting - Keep up the amazing effort!
Published October 07, 2009 @ 11:10AM PT
Out4Immigration is an all grassroots organization and our letter writing campaign is now in its 32nd week. We have had successes in our campaign by getting more cosponsors on board. We are also constantly adapting the campaign from feedbacks that we received from our members and from our allies. There are people who are interested in doing more than just simple cut and paste and after some discussion, we are incorporating those request into our letter writing campaign.
You now have three options in using the names and addresses of the targets we provide:
1) Send the Out4Immigration form letter (posted here) by changing the areas in bold only. If you choose this "form letter" option, you can sign the letter as a member of O4I and use O4I letterhead.
2) Write your own letter to these targets telling your personal story. If you choose to do this, please know that you must do this as an individual, not a member of Out4Immigration, and you cannot use the O4I name, letterhead or any other branding.
3) Send each target a self-made booklet that tells your story, shows pictures of your family, includes letters from your employer or others in the community identifying their support for you and the UAFA. Again, you should send this an individual, although you can use news clippings and links to organizations that advocate for same-sex binational couples like O4I, IE, Marriage Equality, Love Exiles, etc. See our toolit: http://tinyurl.com/o4i-toolkit1 for more ideas. Obviously, this option will take up more of your time and money -- and will have to be sent via snail mail.
Each week we try to provide a general email address that will accept emails from anywhere in the world (not just the representative's constituents). However, some Reps and Senators have chosen to limit their email and you won't get through unless you live in their district. That's why we also provide a fax number and the snail mail address.
Whichever option you choose (and please, choose at least one!) know that you are making a difference -- and please don't give up!
House Version of template letter:
[Today's Date]
Dear [Congressman/Congresswoman Name],
I am writing to ask you for your support by becoming a co-sponsor of the Uniting American Families Act (H.R. 1024 /UAFA; S. 424) sponsored in the House by Rep. Jerrold Nadler and in the Senate by Sen. Patrick Leahy, and the Reuniting Families Act (H.R. 2709) sponsored in the House by Rep. Mike Honda.
[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.
Both the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA) and the Reuniting Families Act (RFA) simply seek to provide gay and lesbian U.S. citizens and permanent residents the right to sponsor their partner for immigration. Each bill outlines the same process and penalties that are applied in heterosexual partner (i.e., marriage or fiancée) sponsorship applications.
By co-sponsoring these bills, you are showing your 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 will be added to the list co-sponsors on these bills, and you will support their inclusion in any discussions concerning Comprehensive Immigration Reform.
Respectfully,
[YOUR NAME]
Member, Out4Immigration
Congressman John Salazar (D-CO-3)
326 Cannon HOB
Washington, DC 20515
202-226-9669 (fax)
john.salazar@mail.house.gov
Congressman Dennis Cardoza (D-CA-18)
1224 Longworth Building
Washington, DC 20515
Fax: (202) 225-0819
dennis.cardoza@mail.house.gov
Congressman Jim Costa (D-CA-20)
1314 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Fax: 202-225-9308
jim.costa@mail.house.gov
http://www.house.gov/formcosta/issue.htm
Congressman Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM-3)
502 Cannon HOB
Washington, D.C. 20515
Fax: (202) 226-1528
ben.lujan@mail.house.gov
https://forms.house.gov/lujan/webforms/issue_subscribe.htm
Congressman Anh Joseph Cao (R-LA-2)
2113 Rayburn HOB
Washington, DC 20515
f. (202) 225-1988
joseph.cao@mail.house.gov
https://josephcao.house.gov/Contact/ContactForm.htm
Week 31 - Letter Writing Campaign
Published September 30, 2009 @ 08:03AM PT
Out4Immigration is an all grassroots organization and our letter writing campaign to Congress, asking for support of the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA) is now in its 31st week. We have had successes in our campaign by getting more cosponsors on board. We are also constantly adapting the campaign from feedback that we receive from our members and from our allies. There are people who are interested in doing more than just simple cut and paste and after some discussion, we are incorporating those requests into our letter writing campaign.
You now have three options in using the names and addresses of the targets we provide:
1) Send the Out4Immigration form letter (posted here) by changing the areas in bold only. If you choose this "form letter" option, you can sign the letter as a member of O4I and use O4I letterhead.
2) Write your own letter to these targets telling your personal story. If you choose to do this, please know that you must do this as an individual, not a member of Out4Immigration, and you cannot use the O4I name, letterhead or any other branding.
3) Send each target a self-made booklet that tells your story, shows pictures of your family, includes letters from your employer or others in the community identifying their support for you and the UAFA. Again, you should send this an individual, although you can use news clippings and links to organizations that advocate for same-sex binational couples like O4I, IE, Marriage Equality, Love Exiles, etc. See our toolit: http://tinyurl.com/o4i-toolkit1 for more ideas. Obviously, this option will take up more of your time and money -- and will have to be sent via snail mail.
Each week we try to provide a general email address that will accept emails from anywhere in the world (not just the representative's constituents). However, some Reps and Senators have chosen to limit their email and you won't get through unless you live in their district. That's why we also provide a fax number and the snail mail address.
Whichever option you choose (and please, choose at least one!) know that you are making a difference -- and please don't give up!
This week we target 5 Democratic members of the House from Texas. Their contact info is below, followed by the O4I form letter. Thanks for taking part!!
Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX-28)
336 Cannon H.O.B.
Washington, DC 20515
Fax: 202-225-1641
Rep. Ruben Hinojosa (D-TX-15)
2463 Rayburn HOB
Washington, DC 20515
Fax: (202) 225-5688
Rep. Solomon Ortiz (D-TX-27)
2110 Rayburn HOB
Washington, DC 20515
FAX: (202) 226-1134
solomon.ortiz@mail.house.gov
Rep. Silvestre Reyes (D-TX-16)
2433 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Fax: (202) 225-2016
silvestre.reyes@mail.house.gov
Rep. Ciro Rodriguez (D-TX-23)
2351 Rayburn HOB
Washington, DC 20515
Fax: (202) 225-2237
ciro.rodriquez@mail.house.gov
House Version of O4I letter:
[Today's Date]
Dear [Congressman/Congresswoman Name],
I am writing to ask you for your support by becoming a co-sponsor of the Uniting American Families Act (H.R. 1024 /UAFA; S. 424) sponsored in the House by Rep. Jerrold Nadler and in the Senate by Sen. Patrick Leahy, and the Reuniting Families Act (H.R. 2709) sponsored in the House by Rep. Mike Honda.
[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.
Both the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA) and the Reuniting Families Act (RFA) simply seek to provide gay and lesbian U.S. citizens and permanent residents the right to sponsor their partner for immigration. Each bill outlines the same process and penalties that are applied in heterosexual partner (i.e., marriage or fiancee) sponsorship applications. By co-sponsoring these bills, you are showing your 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 will be added to the list co-sponsors on these bills, and you will support their inclusion in any discussions concerning Comprehensive Immigration Reform.
Respectfully,
[YOUR NAME]
Member, Out4Immigration
www.out4immigration.org
Week 30 - Letter Writing Campaign
Published September 23, 2009 @ 08:40AM PT
This week the Out4Immigration Letter Writing Campaign focuses on five more Senators. Please use the form letter reprinted here and adjust for only the material in bold. Be sure to add the link to Out4Immigration at the end of your letter. Remember, snail mail and FAX'ing can be just as effective -- if not more so -- than emails. If you cannot access the Senator's general email account because you do not live in his or her district, please snail mail or FAX your letter. Every form of communication our Representatives receive is taken into account.
This week's targets:
Senator Jon Tester (D-MT)
724 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-2604
Phone: (202) 224-2644
Fax: (202) 224-8594
jon_tester@tester.senate.gov
Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD)
136 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Fax: (202)228-5765
tim_johnson@johnson.senate.gov
Senator Jim Bunning (R-KY)
316 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Fax: (202) 228-1373
jim_bunning@bunning.senate.gov
Senator Ben Nelson (D-NE)
720 Hart Senate Office Building
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
(Fax): 202-228-0012
ben_nelson@bennelson.senate.gov
Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-AR)
355 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Fax: (202) 228-1371
blanche_lincoln@lincoln.senate.gov
Sample Letter:
[Today's Date]
Dear [Senator Name],
I am writing to you to ask for your 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 showing your 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 will be added to the list co-sponsors on this bill, and you will support the UAFA's inclusion in any discussions concerning Comprehensive Immigration Reform.
Respectfully,
[YOUR NAME]
Member, Out4Immigration
www.out4immigration.org
About LGBT Immigration Rights
Right now, gay and lesbian Americans in a loving and committed relationship with a partner from another country cannot sponsor their partner for a green card in order to stay together in theUnited States. These same-sex bi...
View idea ».
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Urge Rep Gutierrez to Include LGBT Families in his Comprehensive Immigration Bill
- Started by Amos Lim
- 206 People
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Urge Sen Schumer and Rep Lofgren to include LGBT Families in their Comprehensive Immigration Bill.
Urge Rep Castor, Waters, Green, Moore & Thompson to support the Uniting American Families Act
