400 (And Counting) Faith Leaders for UAFA
By Steve Ralls on 03/18/2011 @ 11:51 AM
In an overwhelming show of support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans with partners from abroad, a coalition of more than 400 faith leaders have called on Congress to pass the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA). The letter, first reported by Sarah Posner at Religion Dispatches, comes as Congressional leaders prepare to re-introduce UAFA, which would allow LGBT Americans to sponsor their partners for residency in the United States. Under current immigration law, tens of thousands of families face separation and exile because of discriminatory immigration laws.
The letter, released as part of the Faith Coalition for UAFA assembled by Immigration Equality, includes signatories from virtually every denomination, including Catholic, Episcopalian, Jewish, Methodist and Unitarian clergy and leaders, as well others. The statement is endorsed by faith leaders in red states and blue, and includes individuals from congregations in nearly every region of the country.
"Our diverse faith traditions," the coalition writes, "teach us to welcome and care for our neighbors with love and compassion. Of the many great injustices in this broken immigration system, family separation is one of the most egregiou s .... Immigration policies should make expeditious family reunification a top priority and should include all families as part of that foundation. For us, this is a clear matter of simple justice."
"We endorse the Uniting American Families Act," they conclude, "which upholds the fundamental value of keeping families together."
The coalition's letter follows endorsement of UAFA from groups such as the American Jewish Committee, Call to Action, Methodist Federation for Social Action, the North American Old Catholic Church and the United Methodist Church General Board of Church and Society, among others.
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