20 Questions with Intern Xander Tabloff
By Christopher Edwards on 08/01/2012 @ 06:55 PM
Each season Immigration Equality offices welcome interns, legal fellows, and volunteers. We will introduce you to some of them with 20 questions. Want to work with us? Find out more here.
Name: Xander Tabloff
Age: 22
School/Major/Year: Yale Law School, 2015
Position: Public Policy Intern
Office: Washington, DC Office
In one sentence, what do you do all day?
I work with the Public Policy and the Business Coalition to target prospective cosponsors for the Uniting American Families Act
How is that going?
It's intense, but extremely rewarding.
What are you hoping to accomplish while here?
I hope to gain an awareness of how legislation moves through Congress and what external factors outside of a politician's ideology go in to their decision making processes.
Where are you from?
I'm grew up in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida ... though I moved directly to DC after having graduated from Brown in Providence, RI.
Summertime outdoors is ...
I'll stay inside where the A/C is thankyouverymuch.
Are you in school this semester?
No
What's your one tip for striking balance?
I think it's extremely important to maintain a social life. Being solely immersed in work can be overwhelming and it's always good to clear one's mind through fun outside of the office.
Is mixing school and an internship worth it?
I'm in the middle of transitioning from undergrad to law school, so I'm not currently taking classes ... though I do think that when I've mixed the two in the past it's been a rewarding experience.
What do you do in your free time?
I play DC Kickball every Wednesday and find myself exploring DC constantly. I also find myself reading political blogs far too often ...
What are you currently reading?
Considering all of the reading I'll have to take up in the fall, I've taken a bit of a hiatus from reading. That said, I have a book by one of my favorite professors called Damascus After the Muslim Conquest that's currently sitting on my desk. I'm sure I'll get to it soon.
Favorite TV show?
American Horror Story, Modern Family, and Real Housewives of Beverly Hills (love me some trashy television)
If you had one superpower what would it be?
It'd be cool to be able to shapeshift.
What's the most surprising part of your internship?
The expectations for interns at Immigration Equality are rather high and the work is quite substantive. A lot of places don't put as much trust in their interns, and I am certainly appreciative of the experience we're all getting.
What's the hardest part?
The frustration that occurs when a member of Congress won't budge on their position because of allegiance to party lines, even when they personally hold a different opinion.
What's your interest in immigration rights?
The idea that a family could be torn apart because of current flaws in our immigration system should not be accepted. I find myself drawn to this issue so that those who are currently disenfranchised by US immigration law can find solace in knowing that others are desperately fighting for them.
How did you learn about Immigration Equality?
Through a friend working with ORAM in San Francisco
Are you at immigration Equality just for the summer?
Yup.
To whom would you recommend an Immigration Equality internship?
I don't think a prospective intern necessarily needs to have a strong background in immigration or LGBT related work. Rather, a person with the ability to think critically, strategically tackle problems, and work hard would be the best person to have on Immigration Equality's team.
What are you planning next after your time with us?
I'll be heading up North to start law school.
It’s not too late to join us for “Lobby at Home: UAFA Now!"
By Kathryn Baxter on 07/23/2012 @ 10:37 AM
We’ve said it before, but it’s the truth. The most effective thing you can do to push for passage of the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA) is holding a meeting with your Member of Congress and telling your story. Here in the DC office of Immigration Equality, we enjoy each and every time we get to help a family learn how to tell their story and help push for change.
So it’s hard to describe exactly how excited we are that over the next two weeks we will be training nearly 70 of our supporters via webinar to meet with their Members of Congress as a part of our “Lobby at Home: UAFA Now!” campaign.
And for those of you who can’t join one of our webinar trainings, last week we launched our full campaign website and toolkit to help guide you through the lobbying process from start to finish. On the site, you’ll find information about setting up your meeting, preparing for your meeting, having your meeting, and how to be effective in following up.
It’s not too late to be a part of this! Sign up for the campaign and please join us for one of our three upcoming webinars. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, you can do this. We’re here to help.
Congressman Silvestre Reyes Newest House Cosponsor for UAFA
By Alberto Gonzalez on 07/19/2012 @ 03:45 PM
We are excited to share the wonderful news that Congressman Silvestre Reyes (TX-16) has agreed to sign on as a cosponsor to the Uniting American Families Act! Congressman Reyes is now one of 139 cosponsors for UAFA in the House of Representatives. Congressman Reyes, who has served in Congress since 1997, represents El Paso, TX.
As a long-time member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Congressman Reyes became the thirteenth Caucus Member to sign on to UAFA. In March, fellow Texas Congressman Ruben Hinojosa (TX-15), first Vice Chair of the Caucus, also cosponsored UAFA.
We want to thank Congressmen Reyes and his staff for their support!
Join the campaign, Lobby at Home / UAFA Now!
By Julie Kruse on 07/11/2012 @ 04:50 PM
Immigration Equality Supporter,
Members of Congress will be home for most of August to visit with their constituents – that’s YOU – and hear about the issues that matter to them. This August, we want you to meet with your Members of Congress and ask them to cosponsor and support the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA) as a part of our “Lobby at Home: UAFA Now!” campaign. UAFA will allow LGBT Americans to sponsor their partners and spouses for residency in the U.S. — a right which is currently denied.
Throughout August, Immigration Equality supporters all across the country will be meeting their Members to build support for UAFA.
Nervous? First time lobbying a member of Congress? No problem! We’ll be holding training webinars in late July and early August to answer your questions and get you prepared for a great meeting. We’ll also be posting all the tools you need to set up and carry out a successful meeting at a forthcoming “Lobby at Home: UAFA Now!” campaign website.
We hope you’ll join us this August in meeting with your members of Congress and asking them to support UAFA. Your voice is a critical one in building support for this important legislation.
20 Questions with Intern Alberto Gonzalez
By Christopher Edwards on 07/11/2012 @ 10:52 AM
Each season Immigration Equality offices welcome interns, legal fellows, and volunteers. We will introduce you to some of them with 20 questions. Want to work with us? Find out more here.
Name: Alberto Gonzalez
Age: 27
School/Major/Year: Harvard University, Masters in Public Policy / 2013
Position: Public Policy Intern
Office: Washington, DC Office
In one sentence, what do you do all day?
Assist Policy Director in developing grassroots advocacy resources to urge members of Congress to cosponsor the Uniting American Families Act.
How is that going?
Very Well!
What are you hoping to accomplish while here?
I hope to learn more about federal public policy and advocacy as it relates to improving the lives of LGBT and immigrant communities.
Where are you from?
I am from the Los Angeles area. I was born in Monterey Park, and raised in the city of Pico Rivera, CA.
Summertime outdoors is ...
Beach
Are you in school this semester?
No
What's your one tip for striking balance?
My one important tip for striking a balance is to set some time during the day for yourself. Whether it is going for a jog, or a walk around town, or listening to some music, we all need our rest in order to be efficient and effective.
Is mixing school and an internship worth it?
Although I am not currently mixing both, I have done so in the past (many times). It is definitely an important skill to have as it challenges you to manage your time wisely. If you can do that, you are already ahead of the game.
What do you do in your free time?
I love to cook. My parents used to own a Mexican restaurant, and I continue to carry with me family recipes. I also enjoy singing, and going to the movies with families and friends.
What are you currently reading?
I am in the process of reading the first book of The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. I plan to watch the movie after I finish reading it.
Favorite TV show?
Top Chef
If you had one superpower what would it be?
If I had one superpower, it would be to control time. That way, I can see what my future holds, and revisit my past through a different lens.
What's the most surprising part of your internship?
We are all provided with the opportunity to select, step up, and take on projects. This opportunity to take initiative is sometimes difficult in other settings, but not at Immigration Equality.
What's the hardest part?
IE's constituencies are going through so much, and there is only so much we can do in the D.C. office. However, IE is widely respected by LGBT, immigrant rights, elected and government officials that it's able to build coalitions with groups fighting for all LGBT immigrants.
What's your interest in immigration rights?
I am the son of Mexican immigrants, and carry a unique perspective on policy being gay and being a first generation Mexican American. I intend to continue serving the needs of immigrants and advocating for the inclusion of LGBT voices in the development of immigration policy.
How did you learn about Immigration Equality?
Through a former classmate from Harvard, who previously worked at Immigration Equality.
Are you at immigration Equality just for the summer?
Yes
To whom would you recommend an Immigration Equality internship?
I would recommend this internship to anyone interested in engaging with federal policymakers to incorporate the needs of LGBT families in the movement of immigration policy. If you are interested in serving the LGBT and/or immigrant communities, this is the place for you.
What are you planning next after your time with us?
After my internship, I plan to finish my graduate degree and then return to work on public policy in Southern California.
Thanks to Our Allies in Delaware
By Xander Tabloff on 06/20/2012 @ 03:57 PM
Representative John Carney
Immigration Equality thanks Representative John Carney (D-DE) for cosponsoring the Uniting American Families Act. Rep. Carney joins UAFA’s 137 other House cosponsors to reach a record number who are paving the way toward equality for LGBT families.
Immigration Equality sends a big shout out to Equality Delaware and Mark Purpura for the work they have done to spread awareness throughout Delaware of the unique problems facing LGBT immigrants and their families.
Representative Melanie George Smith of the Delaware State Assembly has also been a true advocate for the Uniting American Families Act among the Delaware delegation. We thank her for reaching out to her colleagues and fighting for LGBT families.
Senator Blumenthal Calls on Congress to Keep Families Together
By Xander Tabloff on 06/18/2012 @ 08:40 AM
In a new video (below), Senator Richard Blumenthal vowed to defend the “great families and wonderful people,” that are adversely affected by current LGBT immigration law. As part of Immigration Equality’s My Family. Together. video campaign, Senator Blumenthal sat with Kelli Ryan and her wife Lucy Truman to express his commitment to keeping committed LGBT couples together. Noting that LGBT families “deserve to stay in the United States and the United States deserves them,” Senator Blumenthal stood by his impressive record of fighting against discriminatory immigration practices. He has championed Kelli’s and Lucy’s right to remain together in the past, writing to the Department of Homeland Security on their behalf.
Senator Blumenthal and his constituents Kelli and Lucy
2 New UAFA Co-Sponsors!
By Kristin McGee on 06/15/2012 @ 12:03 PM
We are delighted to welcome a Senator and a Representative in Congress onto the Uniting American Families Act.! Senator Mark Begich of Alaska has signed onto the bill as a co-sponsor.
In the House, Russ Carnahan (D-3rd MO) joined as a new cosponsor. The outstanding advocacy efforts of PROMO, as well as other Missouri constituents and organizations led to this success!
We offer special thanks to all the amazing Alaska families that reached out personally to Senator Begich (pictured) and his staff. Our Faith Coalition made a big push in Alaska, so particular thanks to Tom Tierney, Immigration Equality Action Fund’s outreach consultant, and especially to the faith leaders of Alaska that stood up for Alaska’s families:
Pastor Dan Bollerud, Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church, Anchorage, AK
Rev. Dr. Phil Campbell, Northern Light United Church, Juneau, AK
Rev. Martin Dasler, Amazing Grace Lutheran Church, Anchorage, AK
Rev. Jana Deiss, Table of Grace Lutheran Church, Bethel, AK
Rev. Niutunu Faiupu, Church of New Testament Feagaiga Fou, Anchorage, AK
Rev. Dan Fullerton, First Presbyterian Church, Sitka, AK
Rev. Luisa Hanson, Dillingham Trinity Lutheran Church, Dillingham, AK
Rev. Beatrice Hitchcock, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Anchorage, AK
Rev. Jonathan Jones, Church Life Alaska, Anchorage, AK
Rev. Douglas M. Lindsay, University Community Ministry, Anchorage, AK
Rev. Debra Lindsay-Hudgins, First United Methodist Church, Anchorage, AK
Rev. Dan Lush, Pastor, Willow United Methodist Church, Willow, AK
Rev. Matthew Moak, Metropolitan Community Church, Anchorage, AK
Rev. Ron Nitz, Resurrection Lutheran Church, Seward, AK
Rev. Dianne O'Connell, Immanuel Presbyterian Church, Anchorage, AK
Rev. Glenn C. Petersen, Central Lutheran Church, Anchorage, AK
Rev. Cindy Roberts, Douglas Community United Methodist Church, Douglas, AK
Rev. Sarah Schurr, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Juneau, AK
Rev. Bob Stevens, St Brendan's Episcopal Church, Juneau, AK
Rev. Karen Martin Tichenor, New Hope Methodist Presbyterian Church, North Pole, AK
Pelosi Prioritizes UAFA; Kerry Makes My Family. Together. Video
Posted on 06/08/2012 @ 12:05 PM
Congressional Champions continue to press for relief for LGBT immigrants and their families.
In an interview yesterday with the Washington Blade, House Leader Nancy Pelosi listed the Uniting American Families act among two LGBT bills that are a priority for her (along with ENDA):
Pelosi also mentioned immigration legislation affecting the LGBT community, alluding to the Uniting American Families Act, which would enable gay Americans to sponsor their foreign-born same-sex partners for residency in the United States. She said the bill would “seriously codify immigration policy relating to the [LGBT] community.”
We are proud to have Leader Pelosi as a vocal, constant champion for UAFA, and for all LGBT families impacted by discriminatory immigration laws, including Bradford Wells and Anthony Makk, a constituent family for whom she helped win a two-year reprieve from separation.
Senator John Kerry, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee has made a video with a constituent family as part of Immigration Equality’s My Family. Together. video campaign. He appears with John Brandoli and his mother Lenora; he helped stop the deportation of John’s husband. In the video, he calls for an end to the separation of any LGBT families due to immigration laws. Senator Kerry continues to vocally champion stopping the separations in the media,in letters to the administration, in this video, and even in his tweets.
An Irreplaceable Ally
By Chris Fleming on 06/01/2012 @ 01:40 PM
In the weeks and months leading up to North Carolina’s vote on Amendment One – which enshrined discrimination against LGBT families in the state’s constitution – one North Carolina business refused to sit idly by. Replacements, Ltd., a retailer specializing in silver, china and glassware, was outspoken in its opposition to the ballot measure.
The company, which is also a member of the Business Coalition for the Uniting American Families Act, has been a long-time ally of LGBT families. The list of LGBT causes the company supports is nearly endless.
Immigration Equality is proud to stand with our friends at Replacements, who have stood – so long, and so staunchly – with our families in North Carolina and around the world. We know that support families - all families - makes good business sense, too. We can all play a part in sending a message that customers support equality.
As The New York Times recently reported, the company’s commitment to our community has led some to threaten taking their business elsewhere.
Following the company’s public opposition to Amendment One, the Times wrote, “Hostile letters and e-mails poured into the company from customers canceling their business and demanding to be removed from its e-mail list.”
“Money you used to support this opposition came from my many purchases from your company and that is not O.K. with me,” one letter said, adding, “I will look for my replacement pieces elsewhere.”
For their part, Replacements is refusing to back down.
“I just refuse to hide,” Page told the Times. “I did that way too many years and it’s just not healthy.”
The company’s fair-minded policies, while in the spotlight following approval of Amendment One by North Carolina voters, also serve as a reminder that giving back also makes good business sense. As the Times wrote last week:
Replacements has annual revenue of $80 million and employs 450 people, all in North Carolina. Mr. Page was named North Carolina’s small-business person of the year by the Small Business Administration in 1986. The company was included in Inc. Magazine’s “Inc. 500” in 1986 and Fast Company’s “Fast 50” in 2004. It has received numerous workplace awards and was cited in 2002 by the Advocate magazine as one of the top 10 gay-friendly companies in America. Hundreds of local construction workers completed an expansion that nearly doubled the size of its warehouse to 500,000 square feet. It holds over 13 million items.
Congressional Champions Speak Out
By Julie Kruse on 05/30/2012 @ 11:42 AM
Increasingly, members of Congress are championing an immediate end to the suffering of LGBT families being hurt by discriminatory immigration laws. They are demanding changes to the law so that LGBT Americans can sponsor our partners and children for immigration. They are insisting that until the law is changed, the Obama administration must stop harming families unconstitutionally and provide interim relief. They are advocating for constituents’ individual cases with the Department of Homeland Security. They are primed on this issue, and ready to fight for legislation when a window of opportunity opens.
Below are video clips of members of Congress who are key leaders on immigration reform speaking out for LGBT immigrants and their families.
Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren
“It’s …a matter of making justice happen sooner rather than later.” Congresswoman Lofgren is the ranking Democrat on the House Subcommittee on Immigration Policy and Enforcement. She was a lead author of a letter with 48 other House members to DHS and DOJ demanding that green card applications for gay and lesbian spouses not be denied. In this speech at a Business Coalition for the Uniting American Families Act reception earlier this spring, she demands passage of UAFA and an immediate end to the denial of green cards for gay spouses.
Congressman Joe Crowley
"It’s a kind of torture that takes place…this ought to be part of any broad immigration reform that we do." Congressman Crowley is a leader on immigration issues for the Irish community and a key player on immigration reform. In this impassioned speech, he speaks about how discriminatory laws cannot ultimately defeat love, and why families need immediate relief.
Congressman Jerry Nadler
"I feel very strongly that governments should not be cruel unnecessarily.” Congressman Nadler is the ranking Democrat on the House Subcommittee on the Constitution. He is the lead sponsor of the Uniting American Families Act, and authored a letter signed by 68 other House members demanding that the administration put in writing a policy against deporting LGBT family members of US citizens. In these remarks, he presses for passage of UAFA and an end to the “gratuitous cruelty” caused by our discriminatory immigration laws.
Senator Patrick Leahy
"Ms. Ueda was faced with the impossible decision of choosing between her spouse and leaving the United States. Our Federal laws may split their family apart. This is unfair and it is wrong. … Passage of [the Uniting American Families Act] would help put our country on par with over 25 other developed countries that value and respect human rights." Senator Leahy, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, recently submitted a statement to the Congressional record supporting Vermont binational LGBT families and urging a change in the law. Senator Leahy is the lead sponsor of the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA), held a Judiciary Committee hearing on UAFA in 2009, and co-authored a letter with Senator Kerry last year demanding that DHS hold green card applications of spouses in abeyance. His advocacy for impacted Vermont families has received extensive media coverage. Just last week, Senator Leahy and the rest of the Vermont delegation successfully advocated for temporary relief for Takako Ueda and her wife Frances Herbert. At the Judiciary Committee hearing earlier this year at which the committee passed repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), Senator Leahy spoke about the impact of DOMA on immigration, and the Uniting American Families Act (remarks begin at 110:53).
Senator Richard Blumenthal
To DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano at the April 25, 2012 Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing on Oversight of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS): "I hope that I can work with you on this area of trying to devise solutions in the meantime [until UAFA passes] that will enable those couples to continue to be families here as we need and they deserve." (questioning begins at minute 1:11) Senator Blumenthal, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Subcommittee on Immigration, Refugees, and Border Security, has spoken repeatedly in the media - and publicly to DHS Secretary Napolitano - about keeping Connecticut LGBT binational couples together, about the need to pass UAFA, and about the need to stop denying green card applications of gay and lesbian spouses. Senator Blumenthal also filmed a My Family. Together. video with his constituent Kelli Ryan and her wife Lucy Truman after advocating with the Department of Homeland Security that Lucy's green card application not be denied.
Senator John Kerry
"We have to continue to fight to overturn DOMA and to guarantee that we reform immigration laws that just don't make sense for people so I'm going to continue to fight to do that. We need to make certain that our laws do not separate families unnecessarily.” Senator Kerry, chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, has successfully fought to prevent the separation of Massachusetts binational gay and lesbian couples, and wrote letters to DHS and DOJ demanding that DHS hold green card applications of spouses in abeyance, rather than denying them. Nineteen other Senators signed on to these letters. Senator Kerry filmed a My Family. Together. video with John Brandoli and his mother Lenora, after successfully fighting to prevent John's husband's (and Lenora's son-in-law's) deportation.
Leader Nancy Pelosi
“I’m very proud of your [binational LGBT couples’] efforts and I’m honored to be associated with them.” Leader Pelosi, the Democratic Leader in the House of Representatives, has spoken out repeatedly for LGBT Americans with foreign national spouses and partners, and successfully fought for a family in her district to remain together, at least temporarily. In this conference call with Immigration Equality members, she thanks LGBT binational families for their patriotism, speaks of being proud to cosponsor the Uniting American Families Act and Reuniting Families Act, and urges administrative relief to stop the separation of families.
Congressman Luis Gutierrez
"Si son una familia." ["Yes these are families "] Congressman Gutierrez is a key Latino advocate for immigration reform who has demanded that LGBT families and the Uniting American Families Act be included in immigration reform legislation. In this clip on Telemundo, he explains why LGBT families should be recognized under immigration law (minute 1:17).
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee
"You can’t allow some, and not allow others" Congresswoman Jackson-Lee is a member of the House Subcommittee on Immigration Policy and Enforcement, and a stalwart supporter of the Uniting American Families Act and LGBT immigrants and their families.
My Family. Together.
Several members of Congress are joining Immigration Equality’s My Family. Together. video campaign and making short videos with affected families urging that families be allowed to remain together. Keep an eye on the campaign page as more members of Congress commit to fighting for an end to discrimination in immigration law and policy so that LGBT families can stay together in the United States.
Safe Haven Photo Booth Pix Now Available!
By Cora Lively on 05/29/2012 @ 04:28 PM
Did you take a photo at Immigration Equality's 2012 Safe Haven Awards?
Your images are now available online!
Photobooth pictures from our annual celebration and get-together are now up on Flickr! Find your photo - and share with your friends - by clicking here.
Thank you to everyone who attended. We look forward to seeing you again next year!
Photo: Keynote Speakers Jamie-Lynn Sigler and David W. Ross at the Immigration Equality Safe Haven Photo Booth.
Tell Your Rep: Don’t Hurt LGBT or Immigrant Domestic Violence Victims. Vote NO on H.R. 4970
By Julie Kruse on 05/16/2012 @ 04:17 PM
The House could hold a vote as early as tomorrow on a domestic violence bill that ignores discrimination against LGBT victims of domestic violence and removes protections for immigrant domestic violence victims. Call your Representative at (202) 224-3121 and tell them to vote NO on H.R. 4870 because it excludes LGBT victims and rolls back protections for immigrants.
One of the direct harms that the House bill would cause to LGBT survivors of domestic violence would be to change the U visa provisions so that individuals who cooperate with law enforcement to prosecute their abusers could no longer obtain lawful permanent residence for doing so. Under the current U visa law, the survivor of domestic violence can obtain a temporary visa and then lawful permanent residence for helping law enforcement to prosecute the case. The proposed change would allow for a temporary visa, but no path to permanent residence, thus making it less likely that D.V. survivors will put themselves at risk by cooperating with law enforcement.
H.R. 4970 also rolls back other protections to immigrant victims that exist in current law, and gives abusers more power, not less, over their victims.
The Senate passed a Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) reauthorization bill last month that is LGBT-inclusive. That bill passed through the Senate with a strong bi-partisan vote of 68-31. The Senate VAWA explicitly includes funding for services for LGBT victims in grant programs. It also prohibits any program or activity funded by the bill from discriminating against a victim based on their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. H.R. 4970 eliminates these critical protections.
Please call your Representative at (202) 224-3121 and tell them to vote NO on H.R. 4870 because it excludes LGBT victims and rolls back protections for immigrants.
Meet Our Plaintiffs at the Safe Haven Awards
By Rachel Tiven on 05/14/2012 @ 05:06 PM
The Safe Haven Awards are this Thursday in Manhattan! I hope you will join us, and some very special guests: The five brave families who are plaintiffs in our federal DOMA lawsuit.
These amazing couples are standing with us in court as we push for equal recognition, under the law, for LGBT immigrant families. They will all be together, in the same room, for the very first time on Thursday night.
Reserve your seat online today before tickets sell out at ImEqActionFund.org/tickets. Online registration closes Wednesday at 5pm.
We are also pleased to welcome actors Jamie-Lynn Sigler (The Sopranos, Entourage) and David W. Ross (Quinceanera) as keynote speakers. Together they co-star in the forthcoming feature film I DO, which tells the story of a gay British man living in NY who is “fighting for love, family, and a green card.” The film will premiere later this summer at festivals across the country and we will screen an exclusive preview at the Safe Haven Awards.
For one magical evening, the Safe Haven Awards bring together the entire Immigration Equality family – our pro community, business coalition partners, political champions, and loyal supporters like you. Thank you so much to everyone who has already bought tickets and donated in support of the event.
Even if you cannot attend, I hope you will consider sending a contribution in honor of our five courageous plaintiff families. Your gift sends the message that we will never give up until we can sponsor our spouses for green cards.
Join Me – and Jamie-Lynn Sigler – on May 17th
By David W. Ross on 05/04/2012 @ 12:45 PM
I hope you will join me on May 17th for Immigration Equality’s 2012 Safe Haven Awards. I’m excited to be traveling to New York for this incredible event, where I’ll also be unveiling an exclusive clip from my forthcoming film I Do. And, I’ll be joined at Safe Haven by my I Do co-star, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, who also starred in the hit HBO series The Sopranos and Entourage.
I Do tells a story that many of you are already too familiar with: The struggles faced by LGBT binational couples and their families who are trying to remain together in the United States. It is a story repeated, day after day, all across the country, and for some of you, outside America. It is a story that, I hope, will also educate the public about this unconscionable discrimination and rally support for Immigration Equality’s efforts to put an end to the threat of separation that binational couples face.
We’re not just coming to New York to preview our film, though. Jamie-Lynn and I are also looking forward to meeting you, and learning about your stories. Your families are why we made I Do. As the film opens at festivals around the country this summer, more and more people will be moved to stand with us as we work to ensure that all families are treated equally under the law.
Jamie-Lynn and I are proud to be partnering with Immigration Equality. Every day, the team at this amazing organization works tirelessly to help LGBT immigrants and their families. Your Safe Haven ticket purchase will directly support those efforts. Even if you can't attend, I hope you will make a donation to support this vital work.
Log on and purchase your ticket today, and join me and Jamie-Lynn in New York on May 17th as we say “I Do” to treating all families with the dignity, respect and equality they deserve.
I look forward to seeing you there.
P.S.: To follow our progress as we complete I Do and begin screenings around the country, visit our website, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter.
Actors Jamie-Lynn Sigler & David W. Ross to Headline 2012 Safe Haven Awards
By Steve Ralls on 05/02/2012 @ 02:15 PM
Immigration Equality and the Action Fund are proud to announce our special, celebrity guests for this year’s Safe Haven Awards: Jamie-Lynn Sigler and David W. Ross, co-stars of the forthcoming feature film I Do, about the struggles faced by gay binational couples.
Sigler – best known for her critically acclaimed role in the hit HBO series The Sopranos – will join co-star Ross (who also wrote the film’s script) in premiering an exclusive clip from the film. I Do tells the story of a gay British man, living in New York, who is “fighting for love, family and a green card.” The film will premiere later this summer at festivals across the country.
Sigler's portrayal of Meadow Soprano in the HBO series earned her the 1999 and 2000 Hollywood Reporter Young Star Award for Best Actress in a Dramatic Series, as well as two ALMA Award nominations for Best Actress in a Drama Series in 2001 and 2002. She has also appeared on Broadway in Beauty and the Beast, as well as in recurring roles on the TV series Entourage and Ugly Betty. Sigler's film work includes IFC's Beneath the Dark, and the thriller Dark Ride.
David W. Ross is best known for playing Gary in the Sundance smash Quinceanera, which won both the Audience Award and Grand Jury Prize at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival and an Independent Spirit Award and GLAAD Media Award in 2007. He was one of four members of Bad Boys, Inc. a British “boy band” whose self-titled album spawned five hit singles. He has also appeared in several award-winning projects, including The Receipt, which won multiple awards including Best Comedy at the Los Angeles International Short Film Festival and Sneaux, which was nominated for 6 LA Weekly Theatre Awards, including Best Musical.
For more information on I Do, visit the film’s website. And watch the film’s trailer below (or online, here).
Then, purchase your tickets to join David and Jamie-Lynn in New York, on May 17th, as they debut an exclusive clip from the film, and talk about their passion for ending the discrimination faced by our families.
A First, for Families and Global Financial Business
By Chris Fleming on 04/23/2012 @ 01:00 PM
Barclays, one of the world’s leading financial institutions, has become the first financial services organization to support the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA).
With more than 140,000 employees worldwide, Barclays understands the critical need to support its workforce, including LGBT employees and their families. UAFA, which would allow lesbian and gay Americans to sponsor their foreign-born partners for immigration benefits, is key to Barclays’ ability to support a globally mobile and competitive workforce.
Immigration Equality Action Fund is proud to welcome our friends at Barclays as the first bank and 23rd corporation to sign our growing Business Coalition for UAFA.
“We aim to support our LGBT employees by being a leader in workplace policies and initiatives, and by partnering with organizations such as Immigration Equality,” said Mark McLane, head of Diversity and Inclusion at Barclays. “As a global employer with operations around the world, access to and mobility of talent is critical to our success. By signing the Business Coalition for the Uniting American Families Act we can show our support of a reform that would clearly benefit businesses such as ours.”
With more than 300 years of history, Barclays is the UK’s second largest bank and ranks #115 on the Fortune Global 500 list. The company’s endorsement of UAFA is part and parcel of its pledge to provide a fully inclusive and supportive work environment for all of its employees. Acknowledging that local policy and legislative requirements can have a major impact on its workforce, Barclays has shown – through its endorsement of UAFA – that it works to ensure every employee has every option for career mobility while protecting their families and keeping them close by.
In one of the most global sectors of the economy, Barclays is showing leadership on behalf of its LGBT employees by calling on the U.S. government to recognize their families, and the best interests of businesses in the United States.
For more information on the Business Coalition for UAFA, click here. To add your company to our growing list of business allies – and for information on how you can help recruit your company to join the Coalition – please email me at Business@ImEqActionFund.org.
Five New Co-Sponsors!
By Rachel Tiven on 04/20/2012 @ 04:08 PM
L to R: Senator Barbara Mikulski, Representative Rubén Hinojosa, Representative Susan Bonamici, Representative John Sarbanes, Represenative Allyson Schwartz
We are delighted to welcome a Senator and four Representatives in Congress onto the Uniting American Families Act.
Senator Barbara Mikulski of Maryland, the longest-serving woman in Congress, has signed onto the bill for the first time. Amazing Maryland couples have met with her staff over the past few months, and I had an opportunity to bend her ear in person recently. She absolutely understands the plight of our families and was eager to show her support. We are honored to have her as our 25th Senate cosponsor.
In the House, Rubén Hinojosa (D-TX-15), a Congressional Hispanic Caucus member from a border district and Susan Bonamici (D-OR-1), a freshman lawmaker, joined as new cosponsors. Representatives John Sarbanes (D-MD-3) and Allyson Schwartz (D-PA-13), prior cosponsors, signed on to the bill again; we are so pleased to have them back. Our Faith Coalition made a big push in Schwartz’s district, so particular thanks to Reverend Jay Newlin and the parishioners of Jenkintown United Methodist Church.
Rep. Schwartz is the only woman in Pennsylvania’s Congressional delegation and Rep. Bonamici is the only woman in Oregon’s, which got me thinking about the gender breakdown in UAFA cosponsorship. In the House, 40 of 135 cosponsors are women — a whopping 30% of our total. That’s nearly twice the percentage of women serving in Congress in the first place (17%). That means that 52% of the women in the House are cosponsors of UAFA, versus 26% of the men. In the Senate, the gender breakdown is less dramatic but still notable. Six of our current 25 cosponsors are women, or 24%. That means that 35% of the women in the Senate are cosponsors of the bill, versus 23% of the men.
Of course, our lead sponsors are wonderful men — Senator Patrick Leahy and Congressman Jerrold Nadler — which proves that great leaders come in all genders!
Announcing the 2012 Safe Haven Awards Honorees
By Guest on 04/20/2012 @ 02:04 PM
The 2012 Safe Haven Awards celebrate our shared work to bring LGBT and HIV-positive immigrants and their families together, giving them the freedom to pursue their hopes and dreams in the face of stigma and inequality.
For one incredible evening, the entire Immigration Equality family comes together – our pro bono community, political champions, business partners, and loyal supporters like you. Please join us.
Safe Haven Awards: Freedom
Thursday, May 17 / New York City
AXA Equitable Center
787 7th Avenue
(between 51st and 52nd Streets)
6:30 Cocktail reception
8:00 Awards program
Dessert reception to follow
Honorees
This year’s Safe Haven Awards winners were chosen from the 40 elite law firms in our Pro Bono Asylum Program, which won asylum for 105 lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and HIV-positive people last year — a 99% success rate.
Each winning firm went above and beyond to provide top-notch legal counsel to people fleeing for their lives. This is literally life-saving work, and we are so proud to honor:
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
Jones Day
Kasowitz Benson Torres & Friedman LLP
Kirkland & Ellis LLP
McDermott Will & Emery
Immigration Equality is the first and only organization in the United States devoted exclusively to LGBT and HIV-positive immigrants. Our complementary roles — as lawyers providing free legal advice and as advocates pressing for policy change — make us uniquely effective.
Over the past five years, Immigration Equality has answered more than 10,000 calls for help free of charge. Your support makes this possible. Thank you.
Your Safe Haven Awards co-chairs,
R. Martin Chavez, Adam Norbury, and Robyn Huffman
American Businesses tell Congress: Pass UAFA
By Julie Kruse on 03/22/2012 @ 03:56 PM
Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL18)
The Business Coalition for the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA) just completed two successful lobbying days on Capitol Hill, reaching out to thirty members of Congress in leadership and on the judiciary committees, primarily Republicans.
The six Fortune 500 companies, representing the broader coalition, sent a simple message to lawmakers: immigration laws that separate gay and lesbian families hurt their employees and their businesses and need to be fixed.
Cisco, Diageo, Intel, Marriot International, Nike and Pfizer shared the business case for passage of UAFA and inclusion of gay and lesbian families in broader immigration reform.
Rep. Joseph Crowley, (D-NY7)
On Wednesday, Business Coalition members also hosted a Capitol Reception for members of Congress and their staff which Congressman Joe Crowley (D- NY-7), Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL-18), and Senator Leahy (D-VT) cohosted along with Senators Schumer and Gillibrand of New York and Reps. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA-16), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY-28), Mike Honda (D-CA-15). Speakers included Scott Corley, the Executive Director of Compete America, and Reps. Crowley, Lofgren, Nadler, and Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX-18).
This weeks productive meetings and Hill reception build upon the growing list of companies participating in the Business Coalition both Boehringer Ingelheim and the Dow Chemical Company joined in March as well as an endorsement this week from Compete America, the leading advocate for reform of U.S. immigration policy for highly skilled professionals.
To learn more about the Business Coalition for the Uniting American Families Act, visit the Coalitions site here: imeqactionfund.org/business.