Meet the Plaintiffs: Frances & Takako

By Rachel Tiven on 09/25/2012 @ 01:05 PM

Every summer, Frances Herbert and her spouse Takako Ueda drive from their home in Vermont to a family reunion in the Midwest. They take the long way, through Ohio. If they took a shortcut through Canada, Takako might not be able to get back. Because Frances cannot sponsor Takako, who is from Japan, for a green card, even a family vacation is full of obstacles. “My life will change tremendously when Takako gets a green card,” says Frances. “The ever-present, haunting stress will vanish.”

As one of the five plaintiff couples in Immigration Equality’s lawsuit to defeat DOMA, Frances and Takako are standing for all couples who’ve been waiting so long for green cards.

Won’t you stand with Frances and Takako today by making a monthly pledge?

With your help, our legal team secured a two-year reprieve for Takako last year. “We have been so touched by their hard work,” says Takako. “Staff attorney Tom Plummer was meticulous and thoughtful. He was incredibly responsive to our questions...responding even after work hours, from the supermarket. Thanks to Immigration Equality, we see the light at the end of the tunnel.”

We’re working around the clock to keep Frances and Takako together, but they need more than a temporary fix. Takako needs a green card. Frances needs to know that Takako will never be forced to move halfway around the world.

It’s time to free Frances and Takako from worry and stress. Help us reach our goal of 100 new monthly donors by October 13th.

We’re working to keep this loving couple together permanently and to win equality, for Frances and Takako, for Tim and Edwin, and for you.