Weeks 26 and 27 of Letter Writing

by Kathy Drasky

Published August 31, 2009 @ 07:41AM PT

Last week we made some changes to the Out4Immigration Letter Writing Campaign. The campaign has been successful in that we have gotten our email message to the staffers to the point where we have occasionally jammed their in boxes. That's grassroots action -- in overdrive. We have had the chance to talk with a number of staffers in the interim, and they have assured us our messages get through when we send them via email to the general Rep. or Senator address, and are certainly taken into consideration when they arrive via FAX or snail mail. So, based on that advice, please send the below letter to the following 5 representatives as part of Week 27. Week 26 (last week), we selected 5 Senators, their addresses -- and a sample letter -- immediately follows the Week 27 info.

Remember, you can write to any Senator or Representative as part of this campaign -- you do not need to live in their district and you do not need to be in the United States.

WEEK 27
Rep. Stephen Cohen (D-TN-9)
1005 Longworth House
Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-3265
Fax: (202) 225-5663
http://cohen.house.gov/index.php?option=com_email_form&Itemid=111

Rep. Mel Watt (NC-12)
2304 Rayburn HOB
Washington, DC
20515-3312
Phone: (202) 225-1510
Fax: (202) 225-1512
http://www.house.gov/formwatt/IMA/issue_subscribe.htm

Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA-35)
United States House of Representatives
2344 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515-0535
Phone: (202) 225-2201
Fax: (202) 225-7854
http://www.house.gov/waters/IMA/issue.htm

Rep. Rick Boucher (D-VA-9)
2187 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202-225-3861
Fax: 202-225-0442
http://www.boucher.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=6\
45&Itemid

Rep. Pedro Pierluisi (D-PR)
1218 Longworth HOB
Washington, DC 20515
Ph: (202) 225-2615
Fax: (202) 225-2154
PedroPierluisi@mail.house.gov

[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 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 26
Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA)
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 (D-PA)
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.ContactForm

Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
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 (R-ME)
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=ContactSenatorCollins.EmailIssue

Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME)
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=ContactSenatorSnowe.Email

[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 fiancee) 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

It is time we stop tearing LGBT Families apart - pass the Uniting American Families Act now!

by Amos Lim

Published August 21, 2009 @ 11:41AM PT

Crossposted from APAProgress.org

On August 18th, 2009, I appeared before the California Assembly’s Judiciary Committee with Ms Gina Caprio, Melanie Nathan, Equality California (EQCA)& Asian American for Civil Rights and Equality (AACRE) to present testimony in support of Assembly Joint Resolution 15 (AJR15).  This resolution was introduced by Assemblyman De Leon in support of Uniting American Families Act which if passed in congress will allow an American citizen to sponsor his/her same sex partner for a green card by adding 3 more words, “or permanent partner” after spouse in immigration law.

The resolution passed the committee on a party line vote of 6 – 3 and it is now headed to the floor of California’s Assembly for a vote.  If the resolution passed, it would put the state of California on record as supporting UAFA as well as its inclusion in the Reuniting Families Act (RFA) as introduced by Rep Mike Honda.

This issue is very important to me because I am an immigrant from Singapore who met and fell in love with my husband, 14 years ago.  Although I am one of the 18,000 couples whose marriage last year is still being recognized by the State of California, my relationship is not recognized or accepted at the Federal level.

I am, however, very fortunate to have managed to secure my green card through employment 2 years ago and am able to stay here and build our family by adopting a beautiful baby from the foster care system.  However, our struggle to stay together has endured many twists and turns and our experience is not unique.

According to estimates based on the 2000 census, there are more than 36,000 couples living in the United States who are same-sex binational couples. The same study also indicated that more than 30% of them lived in California, and many of them are from our community. It is also imperative to note that the study does not includes those couples who ran out of options and have left their families and friends behind to live in one of the 19 countries that accepts same-sex immigration. For decades, immigration laws in the United States has hinged on the principles of family reunification, but LGBT families are unfairly discriminated against and excluded from that definition as our relationships are not recognized.  Without access to the major pathway to immigration, LGBT couples have few if any other option to keep their families together.

Most of you have heard the heart-wrenching story of Shirley Tan as it recently received a lot of media attention including an article in April 2009’s issue of People Magazine. Shirley ran away from her home country of The Philippines after a relative who killed her mother and sister and wounded her was released from prison.  She came here looking for asylum and fell in love with another Filipino American, Jay Mercado.  They have twin 12-year-old biological children and have been together in a committed relationship for more than 23 years.  However, due to this unfair immigration law, where their relationship is not recognized, Jay has no rights as an American to sponsor her partner, Shirley for a green card.  (You can read Shirley’s testimony to the Senate’s Judiciary Committee here or watch it on YouTube.)  In the eyes of the federal government, they are legal strangers.  Shirley was arrested by INS officials in January of this year and was immediately put into deportation proceedings, which almost tore her family apart.  With mere days to deportation, Senator Dianne Feinstein introduced a private bill which has the effect of staying her deportation. This is a rare and complicated process is applied in only very exceptional circumstances. However, our representatives cannot be expected to introduce individual bills for over 36,000 binational couples that are in similar situations right now.

The Uniting American Families Act (HR 1240 and S424), if passed, will allow Jay to sponsor Shirley for a green card.  There are strict conditions on what is the definition of permanent partner as well as huge penalties (maximum fine of $250,000 and jail terms) for people who are thinking of defrauding the system. This will only give us a seat at the table.  Anyone who’s been through it knows that there will still be an investigation and interviews to prevent fraud.

For a long time, same-sex binational couples have been in a difficult situation of being forced to choose between love and country.  If their options run out, do they break up or do they leave the United States of America?  Do they leave behind their friends, families and career to live in exile in one of the 19 countries that will accept them?  Heterosexual binational couples can simply apply for an immigrant visa for their spouse by walking into INS and submitting their marriage certificate as proof – a right that is currently denied to the LGBT Americans.

I am thrilled that UAFA has finally found some traction and has been getting increased support from congress.  I am also thrilled that Rep Mike Honda has included the language of Uniting American Families Act in his legislation, Reuniting Families Act.  It is past time that congress recognizes LGBT Families and includes them in any Comprehensive Immigration Reform. 

There has been a lot of push back from certain quarters about including LGBT Families into any immigration reform bill but Rep Mike Honda has made it very clear that any discrimination is wrong.  Immigration laws were used to keep APIs from migrating here in the early 1900’s and it is now being used to discriminate against same-sex couples and that is simply wrong.

We hope that you will join us in supporting the passage of Uniting American Families Act as well as its inclusions in Reuniting Families Act for Comprehensive Immigration Reform.  It is time we stop tearing LGBT Families apart.

Letter Writing -- Week 25

by Kathy Drasky

Published August 17, 2009 @ 05:42AM PT

Keep up the good fight! It is Week 25 of the Out4Immigration Letter Writing Campaign. You all know the drill. This week's targets are listed below and the sample letter follows. If this is your first time joining us, simply scroll down these blog posts and read more about how this works.

Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO)
717 Hart Senate Office Building
District of Columbia 20510-2505
Phone: (202) 224-6154
Fax: (202) 228-6326

Staffer to contact:
Ms. Peg Gustafson, Judiciary Aide
Peg_Gustafson@mccaskill.senate.gov

Senator John Rockefeller (D-WV)
531 Hart Senate Office Building
District of Columbia 20510-4802
Phone: (202) 224-6472
Fax: (202) 224-7665

Staffer to contact:
Mr. Greg Buzzard, Judiciary Aide
greg_buzzard@rockefeller.senate.gov

Senator Judd Gregg (R-NH)
201 Russell Senate Office Building
District of Columbia 20510-2904
Phone: (202) 224-3324
Fax: (202) 224-4952

Staffer to contact:
Mr. Dean Hingson, Judiciary Aide
Dean_Hingson@gregg.senate.gov
(please do not send emails to this address until August 18th, the staffer is out of the office until then)

Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ-8)
1728 Longworth House Office Building
District of Columbia 20515-0308
Phone: (202) 225-2542
Fax: (202) 225-0378

Staffer to contact:
Ms. Liz Berry, Judiciary Aide
liz.berry@mail.house.gov

Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL-25)
328 Cannon House Office Building
District of Columbia 20515-0925
Phone: (202) 225-2778
Fax: (202) 226-0346

Staffer to contact:
Mr. Miguel Mendoza, Judiciary Aide
miguel.mendoza@mail.house.gov

SAMPLE LETTER

[Today´s Date]

Dear [Senator][Representative] [Staffer],

I am writing to you to ask for [your] [Senator/Congressman] 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 part of a group called Out4Immigration. [I am] [I know people who are] directly affected by the current unfair immigration policies in this country that deny gay and lesbian Americans in same-sex binational relationships 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 simply seeks to provide gay and lesbian U.S. citizens and permanent residents the right to sponsor their partners for immigration. It includes the same process and penalties as applied in heterosexual sponsorship applications. By co-sponsoring the UAFA 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] [Senator/Congressman] name will be added to the list co-sponsors on this bill and support the UAFA in any discussions concerning Comprehensive Immigration Reform.

Respectfully,

[NAME]
Out4Immigration
www.out4immigration.org

August is Meet Your Representative Month: Report at Mid-Month

by Kathy Drasky

Published August 16, 2009 @ 11:33AM PT

The month is half over and Out4Immigration members have had some successful meetings with their representatives. Robert is from Georgia, a very conservative state. Still, he met with staffers of Rep. David Scott (D-GA-13) and tells us, "Many Democratic congressmen like mine here in Atlanta do not know about UAFA. Meeting was great, I was nervous, and I choked my tears back but I got my message across, they promised to look into this and have Congressman Scott cosponsor the bill."

Sandy in Connecticut, a state with gay marriage, met with Rep. Chris Murphy's staff (D-CT-5) and says, "The meeting went very well. They understood the issues that we brought to their attention and were happy to receive the literature from the Kit put together by Out4Immigration . While they did not promise that Representative Murphy would sign on as a co-sponsor, they were confident that he would support the UAFA bill and have promised to discuss the legislation with him."

Juan and his partner in Florida met with a staffer for their representative in Miami. Juan reports "I think it was a quite successful meeting considering that this particular staffer was extremely ignorant about both LGBT civil rights and immigration policy.... Once she understood our issue, she was extremely sympathetic and kind. If anything, it was a great opportunity to educate someone who has direct contact with our representative in the House about our struggle. We also put together the action kit that Out4Immigration sent to everyone . Our kit included our pictures, stories, resumes, and business cards, letters that my partner and I have written to one another, the Out4Immigration brochure, and the list of UAFA co-sponsors. This ended up having an even stronger impact because the staffer will not only verbally pass a message but actually deliver a nice compilation of our struggle."

Have you made an appointment to speak with your Representative or their staff yet about immigration inequality in the United States and how this affects same-sex binational couples?

If so - Out4Immigration wants to hear from you. Please keep posting your stories to out4immigration@yahoogroups.com

If not, here's some more encouraging words from three of Out4Immigration's members who have taken the time this month to personally go and make a difference. Robert says, "I know it is hard to find free time, I went and met during my lunch break.... We have to stand up for ourselves, because no one else will, we will not win unless we become more active, letters and emails help, but FACE TO FACE IS THE BEST."

Sandy agrees: "I really feel that it was worth the time and effort to go there and meet with staffers. I think this is so important to do, as the face to face meetings and having them listen to actual stories of the hardships we face makes a much bigger impact when they see that it affects real people in their district."

Juan adds, "It is time to go beyond netroots lobbying and actually start making appointments to meet with our Congresspeople. With such a small percentage of people being affected by our issue and so many other agencies pouring tons of money into their lobbying efforts, we will always have to go the extra mile if we want to be taken seriously and right now the extra mile is meeting our representatives."

Do you need more encouragement to take part in our grassroots efforts for "August is Meet Your Representative Month"? You can download the Out4Immigration toolkit for more information. Click here: http://tinyurl.com/O4I-toolkit

Then, pick up the phone. Make an appointment. Meet with your representative or their staffers. If you need assistance please contact Out4Immigration's volunteer coordinators who have been instrumental in getting this program off the ground and running, Mr. Tom Tierney at tptierney914@yahoo.com and Ms. Zoe Oka at zoeoka@yahoo.com whom we want to thank again - this project would not be possible without their efforts.

Kathy Drasky
Volunteer, Communications Coordinator
Out4Immigration

Amos Lim of Out4Immigration Named Energy 92.7FM and AT&T Community Hero

by Kathy Drasky

Published August 12, 2009 @ 12:15PM PT

Congratulations to Out4Immigration founding board member Amos Lim! Amos has been named this week's Community Hero by Energy 92.7FM and AT&T in San Francisco for his work as a leading activist for equal immigration rights in the US with Out4Immigration. For many years now, Amos, who came to America on a student visa and his American partner, Mickey, have been blazing trails for the rights of same-sex binational couples first with a bill in Congress called the Permanent Partner Immigration Act (PPIA), which later became the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA; S.424; H.R. 1024).

In 2006 the couple, along with a handful of others, founded Out4Immigration to further the cause. In this capacity Amos, now a permanent resident of the US, has transformed into a tireless activist for LGBT immigration rights. He has built coalitions with other LGBT and immigrant groups, spoken at community forums and given numerous interviews and published op-eds on the need to include LGBT people and their families in comprehensive immigration reform and to end the archaic and cruel HIV travel ban. Amos regularly meets with local, state and national elected officials to ask them to support the UAFA and got the city of San Francisco to pass an ordinance urging support of this legislation. He is now currently working on getting the state of California to do the same. Amos is also a member of the City of San Francisco's LGBT Advisory Committee where he advocates for the immigration rights of LGBT families.

Amos Lim is a community hero is every sense of the term. He demonstrates what it means to believe that there is a wrong to be righted and to take action in an area where few others have been brave enough to go. Thank you Amos, from everyone at Out4Immigration. You have always been our hero, and we are happy to share you with the rest of the community!

Letter Writing - Week 24

by Kathy Drasky

Published August 11, 2009 @ 09:46AM PT

Six months! Out4Immigration members and our supporters have been writing to Congress for 24 weeks now and have seen some of the recipients of our letters and emails sign on to the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA) as a direct result.

But perhaps even more importantly, what we've done with these letters is raise awareness. While not every Representative or Senator we target automatically becomes a co-sponsor of this legislation, we can be assured, especially based on some of the feedback emails we get from Congressional staffers that we are having an impact -- that the UAFA will not be left out of Comprehensive Immigation Reform, whether that happens later this year or in 2010.

Each week we are getting closer to equal immigration rights. So, let's get started on Week 24. Targets, addresses and sample letter are all below:

Senator Mark Warner (D-VA)
B40C Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-4601
Phone: 202-224-2023
Fax: 202-224-2530

Staffers to contact:
Ms. Beatriz Ibarra, Judiciary Aide
Beatriz_Ibarra@warner.senate.gov

Ms. Aryana Khalid, Child & Family Issues Aide
Aryana_Khalid@warner.senate.gov

Senator Evan Bayh (D-IN)
131 Russell Senate Office Building
District of Columbia 20510-1404
Phone: (202) 224-5623
Fax: (202) 228-1377

Staffers to contact:
Mr. Jesse Gabriel, Judiciary Aide
jesse_gabriel@bayh.senate.gov

Ms. Cheryl Sullivan, Child & Family Issues Aide
cheryl_sullivan@bayh.senate.gov

Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC)
290 Russell Senate Office Building
District of Columbia 20510-4001
Phone: (202) 224-5972
Fax: (202) 224-3808

Staffers to contact:
Mr. Walt Kuhn, Judiciary Aide
Walt_Kuhn@lgraham.senate.gov

Ms. Laura Bauld, Child & Family Issues Aide
Laura_Bauld@lgraham.senate.gov

Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX-25)
201 Cannon House Office Building
District of Columbia 20515-4325
Phone: (202) 225-4865
Fax: (202) 225-3073

Staffer to contact:
Ms. Alicia Barker-Aguilar, Judiciary & Child/Family Issues Aide
Alicia.Barker-Aguilar@mail.house.gov

Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ-11)
2442 Rayburn House Office Building
District of Columbia 20515-3011
Phone: (202) 225-5034
Fax: (202) 225-3186

Staffers to contact:
Mr. Daniel Ostermueller, Judiciary Aide
Daniel.Ostermueller@mail.house.gov
Ms. Marissa Watkins, Child & Family Issues Aide
marissa.watkins@mail.house.gov

SAMPLE LETTER
[Today´s Date]

Dear [Senator][Representative] [Staffer],

I am writing to you to ask for [your] [Senator/Congressman] 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 part of a group called Out4Immigration. [I am] [I know people who are] directly affected by the current unfair immigration policies in this country that deny gay and lesbian Americans in same-sex binational relationships 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 simply seeks to provide gay and lesbian U.S. citizens and permanent residents the right to sponsor their partners for immigration. It includes the same process and penalties as applied in heterosexual sponsorship applications. By co-sponsoring the UAFA 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] [Senator/Congressman] name will be added to the list co-sponsors on this bill and support the UAFA in any discussions concerning Comprehensive Immigration Reform.

Respectfully,

[NAME]
Out4Immigration
www.out4immigration.org

Ask Sen. Schumer to Include UAFA in Comprehensive Immigration Reform

by Kathy Drasky

Published August 06, 2009 @ 09:16AM PT

Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) is writing a comprehensive immigration reform bill before Labor Day.

It is critical that this legislation includes the Uniting American Families Act and thus includes lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender families. We must get this message to Senator Schumer as soon as possible. The suffering of our families must end!

Listed below is the Judiciary Staffer to contact via email, along with a letter that can be sent directly to Sen. Schumer's office.

If you are in New York - be sure to include your address so they know a constituent is weighing in on this - AND send it to any family or friends in NY that would be willing to help.

Take action now to ensure we are a part this bill!

The Honorable Charles E. Schumer
313 Hart Senate Office Building
District of Columbia 20510-3203
Phone: (202) 224-6542
Fax: (202) 228-3027

Staffer to contact: Ms. Stephanie Martz
stephanie_martz@judiciary-dem.senate. gov

Letter to send:

Dear Ms. Martz,

I am writing to thank Senator Schumer for his cosponsorship and vocal support of the Uniting American Families Act (S 424) and to urge him to include the Uniting American Families Act (and thus LGBT families) in the comprehensive immigration reform legislation he is currently writing.

Under the current discriminatory immigration laws, tens of thousands of lesbian and gay Americans have to choose between leaving the country, family, and jobs they love or having their family torn apart. The suffering of binational families in our country must end.

Comprehensive immigration reform will not be comprehensive unless all families are part of it (including gay and lesbian families).

If lesbian and gay Americans and their families are excluded from comprehensive immigration reform, it will take years - possibly decades - to fix the terrible discrimination that these families now face.

Thank you for your time in this important matter.

Sincerely,

(Your Name)