California’s Senate Judiciary committee may soon be holding an official hearing on AJR 15, a resolution if approved would confirm California’s support of the passing of a United States Congressional bill The Uniting American Families Act (UAFA-HR.1024 & S 424).
Authored by Assembly Member Kevin de Leon, CA-45, AJR 15 declares California’s disapproval of current US Immigration laws which forbids Same-Sex bi-national couples the opportunity from being able to sponsor their partners for immigration purposes.
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Our earlier reports came to fruition when today the Unites States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the National Association of Evangelicals, urged through a press call for support of comprehensive immigration reform and specifically for the exclusion of same-sex partners from immigration reform, thereby insisting on the status quo for gay and lesbian couples – exile, detention, hiding and no visas or sponsorship for same-sex couples in loving committed relationships.
However Immigration equality thinks this is no big deal and assert that the gay community has the upper hand on this one.
Today Steve Ralls, the spokesperson for Immigration Equality, speaking again to Kerry Eleveld at to the Advocate – said the breadth of support that has developed for folding gay families into the bill puts conservatives at a disadvantage. The combination of all those things
However Immigration equality thinks this is no big deal and assert that the gay community has the upper hand on this one.
Today Steve Ralls, the spokesperson for Immigration Equality, speaking again to Kerry Eleveld at to the Advocate – said the breadth of support that has developed for folding gay families into the bill puts conservatives at a disadvantage. The combination of all those things
Calling for a New Direction by Marrying DREAM ACT to UAFA
Posted by
freedom2immigrate 704 days ago
(http://lezgetreal.com)
Grassroot sloggers amount to a handful, a small dedicated group that has done an enormous amount of work with no resources at hand. This group of people, some under the Out4Immigration banner and others unpaid independent activists have fought hard for the ideal of one basic right – Equality – and in this instance equality under the immigration law.
Gays and Lesbian spouses in the USA cannot sponsor foreign born partners for immigration to the USA, commensurate with that very right, freely exercised by different-gender couples.
Contextually, this fight has been going on for well over a decade and has a history of Bills introduced, none of which garnished as much traction as the Bill introduced by Democratic Congressman Jerrold Nadler of New last year, The Uniting AMERICAN Families Act. (UAFA)
Gays and Lesbian spouses in the USA cannot sponsor foreign born partners for immigration to the USA, commensurate with that very right, freely exercised by different-gender couples.
Contextually, this fight has been going on for well over a decade and has a history of Bills introduced, none of which garnished as much traction as the Bill introduced by Democratic Congressman Jerrold Nadler of New last year, The Uniting AMERICAN Families Act. (UAFA)
Evangelicals Push Exclusion of UAFA (Advocate)
Posted by
freedom2immigrate 704 days ago
(http://www.advocate.com)
Evangelical leaders on the far right held a press call Wednesday urging lawmakers on Capitol Hill to pass comprehensive immigration reform but exclude LGBT families from the legislation.
Groups such as the National Association of Evangelicals and the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference have joined Mathew Staver, founder and chairman of the conservative legal group Liberty Counsel, in vehemently opposing inclusion of the Uniting American Families Act, which would allow American citizens and green card holders to sponsor their foreign-born same-sex partners for residency.
Groups such as the National Association of Evangelicals and the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference have joined Mathew Staver, founder and chairman of the conservative legal group Liberty Counsel, in vehemently opposing inclusion of the Uniting American Families Act, which would allow American citizens and green card holders to sponsor their foreign-born same-sex partners for residency.
This is big news. Although Rep. Gutierrez had initially introduced CIR legislation that omitted us, he is now committing to include us! (Thanks, maybe to the Senate's Democrat-only "framework" for comprehensive immigration reform?)
HRC Participating in Rally Sunday for Comprehensive Immigration
Posted by
DividedByLaw 797 days ago
(http://feedproxy.google.com)
On Sunday, March 21st 2010, the Human Rights Campaign staff, members and volunteers will rally side by side with our many coalition partners in
March in DC and Tell Congress to PASS UAFA NOW
Posted by
uluckidog 797 days ago
(http://nclrights.wordpress.com)
On Sunday, March 21st, thousands will march in Washington for March for America, to call on Congress for comprehensive immigration reform. Please join NCLR and Immigration Equality and send a message that comprehensive reform must include LGBT families too!
Current immigration policy unfairly discriminates against LGBT binational couples by not allowing U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents to sponsor foreign-born partners for immigration. We must call on Congress for the swift passage of the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA), proposed legislation that would provide LGBT couples with the same immigration benefits as different-sex couples.
Current immigration policy unfairly discriminates against LGBT binational couples by not allowing U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents to sponsor foreign-born partners for immigration. We must call on Congress for the swift passage of the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA), proposed legislation that would provide LGBT couples with the same immigration benefits as different-sex couples.
In March of this year I was faced with a Sophie’s choice – I could stay in the US with my 12 year old daughter, in a shared custody arrangement; or leave her behind to go into exile with my spouse and our 4 year old. Our 4 year nightmare involved navigating the complex Immigration system to keep our family together. Had we not been of the same sex, we would have had no problems at all.
After receiving help from Senator Feinstein, I lead the effort to obtain the introduction by Senator Feinstein of Private Bill #867 for Shirley Tan and when my advocacy became public scores of binational couples began contacting me for help; and not a day goes by without a new request. I testified before the California State Assembly Judicial Committee for AJR 15 and provided written testimony to Senator Leahy for UAFA at the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing June 3rd 2009. ...
After receiving help from Senator Feinstein, I lead the effort to obtain the introduction by Senator Feinstein of Private Bill #867 for Shirley Tan and when my advocacy became public scores of binational couples began contacting me for help; and not a day goes by without a new request. I testified before the California State Assembly Judicial Committee for AJR 15 and provided written testimony to Senator Leahy for UAFA at the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing June 3rd 2009. ...
Immigration Equality announces action fund
Posted by
USAFrance 878 days ago
(http://sdgln.com)
Immigration Equality, a non-profit advocacy and legal aid organization serving lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and HIV-positive immigrants and their families, announced today that it has established a “501(c)4” entity, the Immigration Equality Action Fund, to significantly increase its federal advocacy and grassroots organizing work. The Action Fund’s launch also includes an expanded office in Washington, D.C., where a new policy staffer and an online grassroots organizer will soon join the organization.
“The launch of the Immigration Equality Action Fund comes at a critical moment in our work to advocate on behalf of LGBT immigrant families,” said Rachel B. Tiven, the organization’s executive director. “As Congress turns its attention to comprehensive immigration reform, and as a record number of lawmakers signal their support for the Uniting American Families A
“The launch of the Immigration Equality Action Fund comes at a critical moment in our work to advocate on behalf of LGBT immigrant families,” said Rachel B. Tiven, the organization’s executive director. “As Congress turns its attention to comprehensive immigration reform, and as a record number of lawmakers signal their support for the Uniting American Families A
UAFA Now ANOTHER American Exiled (WEEKLY FEATURED STORY) Melanie Nathan
Posted by
uluckidog 878 days ago
(http://lezgetreal.com)
Here is the plan – I will post a new true life story, bi- monthly featuring a story of one binational lesbian or gay couple who are either in hiding in the US, waiting for a visa to run out, living in exile or living alone unable to be with a beloved partner. I vow to do this until one of two things happen first:
a. UAFA (or equivalent) is passed into law, giving us our equal right to sponsor our partners for green-cards, equally; or
b. I run out of binational couples – The estimate is between 40,000-100,000 binationals which means I can keep writing – lets see- 2 per month for 12 months – divide into – lets do the smaller amount in case the big amount is inaccurate – so divide 24 into 40,000 = 1,666 years – please check my math….. okay I hope “a” happens first!
a. UAFA (or equivalent) is passed into law, giving us our equal right to sponsor our partners for green-cards, equally; or
b. I run out of binational couples – The estimate is between 40,000-100,000 binationals which means I can keep writing – lets see- 2 per month for 12 months – divide into – lets do the smaller amount in case the big amount is inaccurate – so divide 24 into 40,000 = 1,666 years – please check my math….. okay I hope “a” happens first!
UAFA Gains Influential New Cosponsor
Posted by
freedom2immigrate 900 days ago
(http://sdgln.com)
Senator Arlen Specter (D-PA), member of the Senate Judiciary Committee (and formerly that committee’s Republican Chairman), has signed on as a cosponsor of the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA).
At last June’s Senate Judiciary Committee UAFA hearing, Specter expressed strong support for ending discrimination against gay and lesbian Americans and their families in immigration law. Immigration Equality applauds Senator Specter for his support for LGBT binational families.
Eight of the Senate Judiciary Committee’s twelve Democrats are now cosponsors of UAFA. A ninth, Senator Ted Kaufman of Delaware, recently publicly stated his support for equal immigration rights for LGBT families
At last June’s Senate Judiciary Committee UAFA hearing, Specter expressed strong support for ending discrimination against gay and lesbian Americans and their families in immigration law. Immigration Equality applauds Senator Specter for his support for LGBT binational families.
Eight of the Senate Judiciary Committee’s twelve Democrats are now cosponsors of UAFA. A ninth, Senator Ted Kaufman of Delaware, recently publicly stated his support for equal immigration rights for LGBT families
Comprehensive Immigration Reform Quiet Not Dead
Posted by
USAFrance 930 days ago
(http://immigration.about.com)
With the nation's attention still focused on health care, it may seem like comprehensive immigration reform has been swept under the rug. Don't worry--it may be quiet right now, but CIR is not dead. This past week members of Congress have shown us that immigration reform legislation is still on the agenda....
With the nation's attention still focused on health care, it may seem like comprehensive immigration reform has been swept under the rug. Don't worry--it may be quiet right now, but CIR is not dead. This past week members of Congress have shown us that immigration reform legislation is still on the agenda.
The legal center report said repealing DOMA is “an obvious and necessary step to ending federal discrimination against gay and lesbian couples.”
Entitled “A Devastating Wait: Family Unity and the Immigration Backlogs,” the report includes a long laundry list of recommendations for immigration legislation, including reclassifying spouses and minor children of legal permanent residents as immediate relatives, exempting Filipino World War II veterans from annual quotas and placing a permanent three-year cap on wait times for family-sponsored visas – which woul
The legal center report said repealing DOMA is “an obvious and necessary step to ending federal discrimination against gay and lesbian couples.”
Entitled “A Devastating Wait: Family Unity and the Immigration Backlogs,” the report includes a long laundry list of recommendations for immigration legislation, including reclassifying spouses and minor children of legal permanent residents as immediate relatives, exempting Filipino World War II veterans from annual quotas and placing a permanent three-year cap on wait times for family-sponsored visas – which woul
Maine Marriage Setback a Call to Action for Federal LGBT Rights
Posted by
BinatUK 930 days ago
(http://www.indybay.org)
The State of Maine’s rejection of marriage equality at the ballot box yesterday is being heeded as a call for federal LGBT rights by activists and organizations around the US, including Out4Immigration.
The Maine vote was 53% in support of taking away civil marriage rights granted to gays and lesbians by approval of the state legislature and signed into law by the state’s governor 6 months ago. 47% of voters supported marriage equality. “Subjecting minority rights to majority vote repeatedly denies equality to LGBT families,” said Mickey Lim, vice president and co-founder of Out4Immigration, a grassroots organization that works closely with same-sex marriage groups for recognition of same-sex binational couple rights tied to federal immigration policies.
Out4Immigation advocates for same-sex binational couples, relationships in which one partner is American and
The Maine vote was 53% in support of taking away civil marriage rights granted to gays and lesbians by approval of the state legislature and signed into law by the state’s governor 6 months ago. 47% of voters supported marriage equality. “Subjecting minority rights to majority vote repeatedly denies equality to LGBT families,” said Mickey Lim, vice president and co-founder of Out4Immigration, a grassroots organization that works closely with same-sex marriage groups for recognition of same-sex binational couple rights tied to federal immigration policies.
Out4Immigation advocates for same-sex binational couples, relationships in which one partner is American and
The principles of comprehensive immigration reform legislation are being unveiled today and they are LGBT inclusive:
25 KEY PRINCIPLES TO MEANINGFUL REFORM :
11. Included the language of the Uniting American Families Act that would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to allow permanent partners of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents, including same-sex partners, to obtain permanent residency....
25 KEY PRINCIPLES TO MEANINGFUL REFORM :
11. Included the language of the Uniting American Families Act that would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to allow permanent partners of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents, including same-sex partners, to obtain permanent residency....
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Promoting public awareness of the need for fairness in immigration policy particularly as it relates to the rights of same-sex bi-national couples in the United States who seek equal immigration rights; Providing information regarding political issues relating to gay immigration equality issues, rights and policy.