THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

-Pathway to citizenship

-Family unification

-Greater border enforcement

-Employment verification

-Greater internal enforcement of immigration laws within the country

"The devil is always in the details. We don't yet know if important provisions that would protect LGBT immigrants such as the Uniting American Families Act will be included in a Senate bill. Although we are happy that the DREAM Act and AgJobs have been included in this bill, we are still eary of possible barriers and restrictions to a pathway to citizenship. A convoluted and difficult process for citizenship may still leave millions of immigrants behind," said Felipe Sousa-Rodriguez, National Field Director of GetEQUAL who is eligible for the DREAM Act.

Sousa-Rodriguez continued, "The current criminalization of undocumented immigrants has resulted in almost two million deportations — more enforcement would only lead to greater pain in immigrant communities. Our borders have become more militarized, leaving border communities in shambles and thousands dead trying to get to the U.S. Many immigrants cross the border seeking protection because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. As we learn more about the Senate principles and hear President Obama's immigration framework tomorrow, we hope the President specifically outlines a proposal that fully integrates the needs of LGBT immigrants in the United States. We also think that E-verify could cause greater stress for LGBT workers, since Americans can be legally discriminated against on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity in 29 states and on the basis of gender identity in 34 states. This system may become yet another barrier for LGBT Americans to find jobs in this tough economy."

GetEQUAL will continue fighting for inclusive, comprehensive immigration reform in order to protect LGBT immigrants who often suffer abuses in detention centers and have no way to adjust their immigration status under the current system. GetEQUAL calls for an immigration reform bill that includes a fair and humane pathway to citizenship for the approximately 11 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S., the DREAM Act, the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA), and an end to the one-year ban for asylum seekers. We hope that Congress passes good, humane policy that puts 11 million undocumented people into a pathway to citizenship that is fair and it protects their dignity as individuals in this country.