Five New UAFA Cosponsors

By Julie Kruse on 09/16/2011 @ 11:47 AM

John Larson (D-CT-1), Chair of the House Democratic Caucus; Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO-5, pictured), Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus; Mike Thompson (D-CA- 1); and Danny Davis (D-IL-7) have joined as cosponsors of the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA), and 124 in the House. Maria Cantwell, Democratic Senator from Washington state, also signed on, bringing the total number of cosponsors to 23 in the Senate.

Local faith leaders have played a major role in urging their members of Congress to cosponsor UAFA. In an effort led by Immigration Equality Outreach Consultant Tom Tierney, over 1,200 local faith leaders have joined the Faith Coalition for the Uniting American Families Act. Many of these leaders have called, mailed, and met with their members of Congress about UAFA.

Also, state and local LGBT organizations, such as PROMO in Missouri, Equality Illinois, Equality California, and Equal Rights Washington have pressed their Congressional delegations to sign on to UAFA and help families facing separation in their states. A big shout out to these groups! Local PFLAG and Stonewall Democrats chapters have also reached out, as have many local elected officials. A big shout out to these folks!

Most importantly, you have reached out to your members of Congress to tell them: support your constituents - cosponsor UAFA! Thank you so much for your advocacy and keep up the good work!

This support for legislative change ending discrimination against LGBT families in immigration law comes at the same time as members of Congress press the administration to help families until the law changes. Members continue to urge the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice to hold the green card applications of gay and lesbian spouses of Americans rather than denying them, and to stop deporting any of these spouses or partners.

In a statement on the administration’s new deportation policy of August 18, House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi said:

It is my hope that today’s action by the Administration will result in the suspension of immigration proceedings against gays and lesbians who have petitioned for their spouses, such as my constituents, Bradford Wells and Anthony John Makk, who face separation because of the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act.

Immigration Equality continues to fight for administrative relief for all LGBT immigrants and their families right now, but it is also essential that the law changes to provide a permanent, long-term solution.

Please urge your Senators and Representative to cosponsor the Uniting American Families Act. The more cosponsors UAFA has, the clearer the mandate: immigration reform MUST include LGBT families!

Click here to urge your members of Congress to cosponsor UAFA.