Sen. Bob Casey Signs on as Co-Sponsor to Uniting American Families Act (UAFA)

by Kathy Drasky

Published August 05, 2009 @ 07:53AM PT

Good news today! Sen. Robert Casey. Jr. (D-PA) has signed on to co-sponsor the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA). That brings the total number of co-sponsors in the Senate to 21.

Remember that August is Visit Your Representative Month. All the info you need to set up a meeting with your Congressperson or Senator while they are in their home state is right here: http://tinyurl.com/O4I-toolkit

Out4Immigration is asking everyone who is in the U.S. and who can set up a local meeting to please do so. We need to make these in-person visits, even if your Representatives have already signed onto the UAFA, to show our elected officials who we are and let them know how discriminatory U.S. immigration laws affect us and our families.

If your Rep is a co-sponsor, be sure to thank him or her, and ask them to talk to their colleagues. Ask them to be sure that the UAFA is included in any discussions about Comprehensive Immigration Reform later this year and is a part of that legislation.

The toolkit to set up your meeting is right here: http://tinyurl.com/O4I-toolkit. You can email us at info@out4immigration.org if you have any questions.

Letter Writing - Week 23

by Kathy Drasky

Published August 03, 2009 @ 10:06AM PT

Remember, August is "Visit Your Representative Month" (see post below for details). At Out4Immigration, we're stepping it up, with the visits and the letter writing this month to get as many Congressmembers and Senators on board in support of the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA) as possible prior to upcoming discussions on Comprehensive Immigration Reform.

This week's targets are:

Senator Jim Webb (D-VA)
248 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: 202-224-4024
Fax: 202-228-6363

Staffers to contact:
Ms. Emily Zuelzer, Judiciary Aide
Emily_Zuelzer@webb.senate.gov
Ms. Maribel Ramos, Child & Family Issues Aide
Maribel_Ramos@webb.senate.gov

Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA)
328 Hart Senate Building
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Fax:(202) 224-9735

Staffers to contact:
Ms. Angelique Roche, Judiciary Aide
Angelique_Roche@ landrieu.senate.gov
Ms. Sarada Peri, Child & Family Issues Aide
Sarada_Peri@ landrieu.senate.gov

Senator George Voinovich (D-OH)
524 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Fax: (216) 522-7097

Staffers to contact:
Mr. Charles 'Chip' Abernathy, Judiciary Aide
charles_abernathy@hsgac.senate.gov
Mr. Chris Holt, Child & Family Issues Aide
Chris_Holt@voinovich.senate.gov

Rep. Carolyn Kilpatrick (D-MI-13)
2264 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-2215
Tel: (202) 225-2261
Fax: (202) 225-5730

Staffer to contact:
Ms. Asi Ofosu, Judiciary and Child & Family Issues Aide
Asi.Ofosu@mail.house.gov

Rep. Todd Platts (R-PA-19)
2455 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Fax: (202) 226-1000

Staffer to contact:
Mr. Christian Gallon, Judiciary Aide
Christian.Gallon@mail.house.gov

And, the rationale for each of these:

Senator Jim Webb (D-VA)
· 85% HRC Scorecard rating
· We need more support in Virginia and the South
· Opposed Marshall-Newman Amendment, which would ban same-sex marriage, civil unions and domestic partnerships in the Virginia Constitution
· Supports both the Matthew Shepherd Hate Crimes Act and ENDA

Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA)
· 90% HRC Scorecard rating
· We need more support in the South· Co-sponsor of Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Act (S. 909)
· Strong record of pro-LGBT support

Senator George Voinovich (D-OH)
· 60% HRC Scorecard rating - high for Senate Republican
· Not seeking re-election in 2010
· Moderate record on Immigration
· We need more support in Ohio (only 2 co-sponsors in House) and the Midwest

Rep. Carolyn Kilpatrick (D-MI-13)
· 85% HRC Scorecard rating
· Chairwoman of Congressional Black Caucus
· Member of Progressive Caucus
· Co-sponsor of Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal (H.R. 1283)
· Co-sponsor of Domestic Partners Benefits Act (H.R. 2517)
· We need more support in Michigan (only 2 co-sponsors in House) and the Midwest

Rep. Todd Platts (R-PA-19)
· 45% HRC Scorecard rating - decent for Republican
· Co-sponsor of ENDA (H.R. 3017)
· Voted in favor of Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Act
· We need support from moderate Republicans

Sample letter:

[Today's Date]

Dear [Senator][Represent ative] [Staffer] ,

I am writing to you to ask for [your] [ Congresswoman/ man.....] 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] [Congresswoman/ man ...] 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]
[ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBER AND EMAIL]
Out4Immigration
www.out4immigration.org

August is Visit Your Representative Month

by Kathy Drasky

Published July 31, 2009 @ 08:31AM PT

Out4Immigration has named August "Visit Your Representative Month". All people in same-sex binational relationships in the US and friends/allies of same are encouraged to make an appointment with your Congressperson or Senator at their local office (most are at home in their districts this month) and ask him/her to support equal immigration rights for LGBT people and their families.

Simply download this toolkit http://tinyurl.com/O4I-toolkit to get started. Everything you need to know about setting up a meeting, what to say and how to report your experience are included.

If you are looking to organize a local group of O4I members to meet in a particular district, please use the O4I YahooGroups forum to post a request and network. The group can be accessed or joined here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/out4immigration/

If your representatives have already signed on to support the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA), you can still request a meeting with them to thank them in person for their support and ask them to use their knowledge of this issue to influence their colleagues to lend their support as well. It is also an opportunity to discuss the Reuniting Families Act and upcoming Comprehensive Immigration Reform and to gain assurance that same-sex binational couples will not be left out of these actions.

Have more questions? All your answers should be in the toolkit: http://tinyurl.com/O4I-toolkit or contact Tom Tierney at tptierney914@yahoo.com or info@out4immigration.org

Week 22 - Letter Writing Campaign

by Kathy Drasky

Published July 27, 2009 @ 08:53AM PT

It's Week 22 of the Out4Immigration Letter Writing Campaign. Keep those e-mails, letters, FAXes and phone calls coming! They do work. Note that our volunteers Tom & Gina have added some Republicans supportive of LGBT and immigration issues to the mix to try and gain some bi-partisan support. This week's targets (and the rationale for each) include:

Senator Al Franken (D-MN) - Has a history of supporting LGBT organizations, both within Minnesota, as well as nationally; new member of Senate Judiciary Committee; campaign said he would support repeal of DADT and would support ENDA; hopefully can convince Sen. Klobuchar to support; won't be up for re-election until 2014

Senator Mark Begich (D-AK) - History of supporting LGBT issues while in Anchorage Assembly and mayor of Anchorage; won't be up for re-election until 2014

Sen. Richard Lugar (R-IN) - 60% HRC Scorecard rating - very high for Senate Republican; we need Republican support in Senate for this bill; if Sen. Lugar supports, would be easier for Blue Dogs to support, such as Sen. Bayh from Indiana

Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-PA-District 8) - 90% HRC Scorecard rating; new lead sponsor of DADT bill and on HRC speaking tour about this (H.R. 1283); co-sponsor of ENDA (H.R. 3017); we need more support in Pennsylvania

Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX-District 14) - 44% HRC Scorecard rating - decent for Republican; libertarian Republican, believes government has no business in people's private lives; growing clout on Capital Hill because of strength of his Federal Reserve Audit Bill (H.R. 1207); 2008 Presidential Campaign Manager was gay - Kent Snyder; on record saying LGBT people should be allowed to get married; we need more Republican and Texas support

Here are addresses and staff email contacts:

Senator Al Franken (D-MN)
320 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington DC 20510

Staffer:

Mr. Alvaro Bedoya (Judiciary Aide)
Alvaro_Bedoya@franken.senate.gov

Sen. Mark Begich (D-AK)
144 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
  FAX: (202) 224-2354

Staffer:

Mr. John Richards (Judiciary Aide)
john_richards@ begich.senate.gov
Ms. Diane DiSanto (Child/Family Issues Aide)
diane_disanto@ begich.senate.gov

Sen. Richard Lugar (R-IN)
306 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington DC 20510
Fax: 202-228-0360

Staffer:

Mr. Andrew Mills (Judiciary Aide)
andrew_mills@lugar.senate.gov
Ms. Liz Bartlett (Child/Family Issues Aide)
liz_bartlett@lugar.senate.gov

Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-PA-District 8)
1609 Longworth HOB
Washington, DC 20515
Fax: (202) 225-9511

Staffer:
Ms. Libby Masiuk (Judiciary Aide)
Libby.Masiuk@mail.house.gov
Ms. Sara Schaumburg (Child/Family Issues Aide)
Sara.Schaumburg@mail.house.gov

Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX-District 14)
203 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

Staffer:

Mr. Norman Singleton (Judiciary & Child/Family Issues Aide)
Norman.Singleton@mail.house.gov

Sample letter:

[Today's Date]

Dear [Senator][Represent ative] [Staffer] ,

I am writing to you to ask for [your] [ Congresswoman/ man.....] 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] [Congresswoman/ man ...] 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]
[ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBER AND EMAIL]
Out4Immigration
www.out4immigration.org

Guest Opinion: My Views on Immigration and LGBT Rights by Juan Carlos Galan

by Kathy Drasky

Published July 24, 2009 @ 07:54AM PT

Note: Juan Carlos Galan is a member of Out4Immigration and lives in Miami. Out4Immigration believes in the power of our personal stories and opinions on LGBT immigration rights and how the lack of these rights affects our lives. The more we tell our stories, the more allies we get and the more our cause -- support for the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA) and its inclusion in the Reuniting Families Act and Comprehensive Immigration Reform builds. This is Juan Carlos' story:

I am privileged enough to see my life through the lens of a gay man and an immigrant!

I left the small town where I grew up in Latin America when I was only 17 years old. After growing up in an ultra conservative family and going to private Catholic school all my life, I could not have been more excited to move the United States. I was happy because I always admired the extremely high value that Americans place on equality and freedom, and I could not wait to live my life freely as a gay man in the United States.

After finishing my undergraduate education in the United States, I decided to go for my Masters thinking it would increase my chances of finding a more competitive job that would sponsor me for immigration purposes after my student visa expired. During this job search process I realized how broken the immigration system is in this country. It became nearly impossible to find an employer who would be willing to apply for a work visa on my behalf.

The very limited routes to become legal in the United States are not realistic, affordable, and accessible; I am one of the lucky ones. Unfortunately, approximately 12 million illegal immigrants can't say the same. It is obvious that the problem is not illegal immigration; the problem is the outdated, unrealistic, immoral, and broken system. Immigration to this country encourages the exploitation of undocumented workers by underpaying and marginalizing them without providing any routes towards becoming legal. Once you are illegal, your only option to get a green card is to get married... if you are straight.

After graduating from my Masters program I started working full time, and I was granted a work visa, which is only valid for 6 years and contingent upon never being unemployed (i.e., I can't get fired, I can't quit, I can't change jobs within the company). I was extremely fortunate to meet the love of my life that year as well. We started planning our future as we moved in together. We want to save money, buy a house, travel, and plan a life together. If we were a straight couple, we could get married and he could sponsor me for citizenship, but because we are a gay couple, we do not have that right.

Even if we were to get married in any of the six states that recognize same-sex marriage, he would not be able to sponsor me because immigration falls under federal jurisdiction, and the (so-called) Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) prevents the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages. We live in a constant legal limbo because of the expiration date on my work visa. My work permit might have an expiration date, but my love for my partner does not.

This shows how archaic the US immigration system is. Nineteen other countries, including much of Western Europe and Canada, Brazil, Colombia, South Africa, and Australia amongst others, allow nationals to sponsor same-sex partners for citizenship. It's been reported that there are about 36,000 binational same-sex couples in the US (I suspect there are even more because some might want to stay uncounted because of illegal status). These couples are torn apart or forced to live in exile or illegally. Also, they are not the only ones being affected. This impacts their children, parents, brothers, sisters, and the community at large that is forced to be away from their loved ones. I can imagine that many GLBTQ Floridians are affected by this, considering the high immigrant population in our Sunshine State.

How can we fix this? By getting angry! I am angry! You should be angry too! We should all be angry! And we should channel this anger towards getting involved with organizations such as Out4Immigration and Immigration Equality. Out4Immigration is an all-volunteer grassroots organization that raises awareness about the need for equal immigration rights for same-sex binational couples and their families. Immigration Equality has the power to lobby our elected represesentatives in Washington DC to pass legislation like the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA) that will end immigration discrimination against same-sex binational couples and provide all Americans with equal immigration rights.

The UAFA has been introduced in Congress every term since 1999. Each time it gains a lot of co-sponsors, but it never gets to a vote. How long are we going to have to wait for it to pass? That is up to you!

Contact your representatives in Congress and tell them how you feel! Tell them to pass UAFA! Tell them to include LGBT families in immigration reform! Tell them to repeal DOMA! You have a voice in the legislative process. Use it! Tell your family about it, talk to your community, let people know about this issue and how it affects you or your friends!

The US government should not prevent my partner and I from building a life together. This is a basic right that every citizen should enjoy. After all, I came to this country because of the high value it places on equality and freedom.

For more information, please visit:

Out4Immigration
Immigration Equality

Letter Writing - Week 21

by Kathy Drasky

Published July 21, 2009 @ 07:17AM PT

This week's targets include three Republicans based on their past support on other important LGBT issues. We are also contacting two Dems.

Out4Immigration's Week 21 targets are:

Senator John McCain (R-AZ)
241 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Fax: (202) 228-2862

Staffers for Senator McCain:
Lee_Dunn@McCain.senate.gov
Talal_Mir@McCain.senate.gov (Mr. Talal Mir)

Senator Mel Martinez (R-FL)
United States Senate
356 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510Fax: (202) 228-5171

Staffers for Senator Martinez:
Ben_Moncrief@martinez.senate.gov
Vennia_Francois@martinez.senate.gov

Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI)
133 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510

Staffers for Senator Stabenow:
Oliver_Kim@stabenow.senate.gov
Ilana_Levinson@stabenow.senate.gov

Rep. Judy Biggert (R-IL-13)
1034 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Fax: 202-225-9420

Staffer for Rep. Biggert:
Griffin.Foster@mail.house.gov

Rep. David Loebsack (D-IA-2)
1513 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Fax: (202) 226-0757

Staffers for Rep. Loebsack:
Meagan.Linn@mail.house.gov
Kara.Marchione@mail.house.gov

Please remember, after sending your fax AND your e-mails to the staffers, be sure to mail your handwritten letter  to the members of Congress we are targeting. A sample draft letter is below:

[Today's Date]

Dear [Senator][Representative] [Staffer] ,

I am writing to you to ask for [your] [ Congresswoman/ man.....] 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] [Congresswoman/ man ...] 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]
[ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBER AND EMAIL]
Out4Immigration
www.out4immigration.org

Wake Up Call! Get Active! Get the UAFA on Everyone's Radar

by Kathy Drasky

Published July 20, 2009 @ 10:50AM PT

By now most of you fighting in the trenches here for equal immigration rights for all Americans and our families have probably had time to recover from the sting of Rep. Jackie Speier's comments in the Bay Area Reporter story by Matthew Bajko last week.

The story, "Political Notebook: Speier Confident that ENDA Will Pass" carried a hefty dose of no-hope for those of us fighting for the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA). In the article Rep. Speier's comments are summarized as saying that the UAFA has no chance of being passed. This is our friend Jackie Speier (D-CA) speaking here - not Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL).

Speier, who was instrumental in the private bill secured earlier this year for Shirley Tan, went on to say that the best hope for same-sex binational couples completely out of legal options to stay in the US was to get a private bill introduced in Congress to keep them together here. Her rationale for why the UAFA won't get the same air-time in Congress is that other issues like ENDA, DADT and repeal of DOMA are taking precedence, and she doesn't think Congress "has had the opportunity to explore this issue as intensely as it needs to happen."

Okay - folks. That's our wake up call. In spite of our elevation of this issue to mainstream front page news this year - on CNN.com, in the Washington Post, in People magazine - our massive letter writing efforts that have urged some 115 members of Congress and 20 U.S. Senators to co-sponsor the UAFA and led to the first-ever Senate hearings on the bill, and the collective efforts to every one of us out there with a computer and an Internet connection to blog, start online petitions, post personal videos and re-circulate this information through numerous social media channels - Congress has not had the opportunity to explore this issue as intensely as it needs to? Let's change that. Here's how:

1) Keep at the letter writing. Put aside the time needed each week and email Congressional staffers, make phone calls and send your letters via snail mail and FAX to the addresses provided. Whenever possible, make the letters personal. Include photos, tell the people you are writing to about your family and why you feel as an American citizen or permanent resident that your country is discriminating against you.

2) Call a reporter at your local newspaper, radio station or TV station and tell them about the discrimination American citizens are facing under US immigration law - perhaps nowhere is our system more dysfunctional than in the way it treats LGBT families. Do you need talking points or a strategy for how to make contact and connect? Contact the O4I Communications Director Kathy Drasky at kathy@out4immigration.org

3) Make an appointment to meet with your Congressional rep and Senators in person next month (August) when many of them are in their home offices. Even if your Rep has already signed on to the UAFA, make this a thank you visit and a chance to ask him/her to approach their colleagues and get their support. Ask for their advice on how we can get the UAFA passed this session of Congress and then share it with Out4Immigration. If you cannot get a meeting with your Representative, get one with a staffer who handles the Rep's LGBT, civil rights and/or immigration affairs. Bring with you to this meeting:

a) 5-10 copies of the Out4Immigration trifold brochure available for download at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/out4immigration/files/ [o4i_trifold_Eng.pdf]. Print this on 20-lb paper, preferably green paper, to symbolize the "green card".

b)  Any recent stories about the UAFA from the newspaper or online that you can print out. Highlight with a marker the key passages in the stories that underscore why lack of LGBT immigration rights is "gratuituous cruelty".

c)  Your story - this is imperative. Melanie Nathan has created guidelines for preparing your own personal booklet to hand deliver to your Rep's office. Melanie says include "pictures of you and your partner, extended family, a letter setting out your personal case and circumstances, countries etc. Then go to Kinkos and bind it. Make it look good. Does not have to be lengthy; Get family, church, work letters of support. If you do community work mention same. Include your education and resume. Letters from family. Make 4 copies. Keep 3. Take one directly to the office of your congress representative, Make an appointment - and whether friendly or not ensure you speak directly to your member of congress or a close staffer. DO NOT MAIL - it must be hand delivered by you. Ask your Rep if they support UAFA and if not why not. Offer to help them get a better understanding of it. After that do the same with one of your State Senators. Less likely to get appointment but introduce yourself to a staffer and have it delivered. If you want more guidance write Melanie Nathan at nathan@privatecourts.com

4)  Contact your state and local elected officials, community groups [other LGBT groups like PFLAG and community centers, immigrant rights' groups, places of worship, universities, legal aid] and ask them if they can help you. Tell them you are struggling with US immigration law and why. Reach out to your community by marching in parades (not just gay parades, btw, but labor marches and rallies for immigrant rights). Every time we take to the streets we meet more same-sex binational couples who join our forces. So get out there - and if you need community outreach advice, please contact Amos Lim at Out4Immigration who has done so much to raise awareness about the need for the Uniting American Families Act. He can be reached at amos@out4immigration.org

I hope these steps reinforce your belief that there is hope for the Uniting American Families Act. The key here is your involvement. Put a face on this issue for those who need "the opportunity to explore this issue as intensely as it needs to happen." Don't let a day go by when you do not do one small thing to advance this cause. And you know what - things will change because of that.