| Hello everyone,
Out4Immigration is starting a letter writing campaign to urge members of Congress to sign on as co-sponsors of the UAFA.
Each week we'll be targeting a member of Congress who signed onto the UAFA during the last term but hasn't yet this time around. When we work our way through those, we will move onto members of the LGBT and progressive caucuses - hopefully increasing co-sponsorship every step of the way.
This week, we're writing to Rep. Frank Pallone Jr (D-NJ; 6th
district). His contact info and a sample draft letter to send him are below. (Feel free to adapt this letter to suit your story). If Rep. Pallone is your Rep., use the link to his website to contact him via email (Note: Like many members of Congress, his email system is configured to only accept emails from constituents using their local zip code).
Please let us know your feedback on this project and ideas for others.
We'll be happy to work with you to get a project off the ground as long as it is in line with O4I's mission.
(Thanks to Kathy and Gina for spearheading this project)
**Address and letter follow here:**
Rep. Frank Pallone, JR
237 Cannon Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-3006
Phone: 202 225-4671
Website: http://www.house.gov/pallone
Dear Representative Pallone,
I am writing to you to ask you to please sign on as a co-sponsor of the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA; HR 1024; S 424) sponsored in the House by Rep. Jerrold Nadler and the Senate by Sen. Patrick Leahy.
I am part of a group called Out4Immigration. [I am] [I know people who are] directly affected by the current unfair immigration policies in this country that deny gay and lesbian Americans in same-sex binational relationships the right to sponsor their permanent partner to live with them in the United States.
You have sponsored the bill during the last session of Congress but you have not signed on as a co-sponsor yet this session. We hope this is just an oversight but if you have any concerns or issues with this bill, I would like to hear from you or have the opportunity to speak with you.
As you may be aware, these Americans in loving and committed relationships are often forced to make heartbreaking decisions to maintain their relationship. More often than not, these include having to leave the United States in order to be with the person they love.
These American citizens are forced to give up careers, leave behind aging parents and young adult children who rely on them and leave a community which benefits from their ongoing and active participation.
The Uniting American Families Act simply seeks to provide gay and lesbian U.S. citizens and permanent residents the right to sponsor their partners for immigration. It includes the same process and penalties as applied in heterosexual sponsorship applications. By co-sponsoring the UAFA you are showing your dedication to equality and the belief that no American should be forced to choose between their country and the person they love.
Thank you for your time on this important matter. I hope that you will add your name to the list co-sponsors on this bill.
Respectfully,
[NAME]
[ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBER AND EMAIL]
Out4Immigration
www.out4immigration.org |
