Record Number of Congressional Co-Sponsors Support Uniting American Families Act
Bill Would End Discrimination Against LGBT Binational Families
Washington, DC — The Immigration Equality Action Fund, which advocates on Capitol Hill for equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and HIV-positive immigrants and their families, announced today that a record number of co-sponsors now support The Uniting American Families Act ( UAFA ) , a bill to end to discrimination against LGBT binational families. In the House, 132 Members now support the measure, including the bill's lead sponsor, Congressman Jerrold Nadler ( D-NY ) . Twenty-five Senators, including sponsor Patrick Leahy ( D-VT ) are co-sponsors of the measure in that chamber. In recent days, eight new lawmakers joined as co-sponsors, including Senator Tom Harkin ( D-IA ) , as well as Representatives Joe Baca ( D-CA ) , Gerald Connolly ( D-VA ) , James Clyburn ( D-SC ) , John Hall ( D-NY ) , Martin Heinrich ( D-NM ) , and James Himes ( D-CT ) . The current group of co-sponsors represent the highest number of any prior session of Congress.
"We are proud to welcome our new co-sponsors as we continue to build support for our fight to end discrimination against LGBT binational families," said Julie Kruse, the group's policy director. "As more families share their stories of struggling to remain together, and as more leaders learn about the unconscionable choices families in their states and districts are forced to make, support for UAFA increases."
"For too long, gay and lesbian American citizens whose partners are foreign nationals have been denied the ability to sponsor their loved ones for lawful permanent residency," said Senator Leahy. "No American should face a choice between their country and their loved ones. There is no place for this, or any, discrimination in our federal laws. Our immigration laws should provide gay and lesbian Americans with immigration benefits equal to those enjoyed by heterosexual citizens. I am encouraged that the number of supporters for the Uniting American Families Act continues to grow."
"I am elated that UAFA has gained 132 co-sponsors and counting," Congressman Nadler added. "This is clearly an indication that there is powerful and unprecedented momentum behind our drive to provide same-sex couples with the same immigration rights as heterosexual couples. As our nation moves closer to comprehensive immigration reform to improve our profoundly insufficient immigration laws, we must ensure that the LGBT community is part of the process."
Under current U.S. immigration law, lesbian and gay Americans are unable to sponsor their partners for residency in the United States. UAFA — which has been included as part of California Congressman Mike Honda's family unification bill ( The Reuniting Families Act ) and part of a recent Senate leadership framework for comprehensive immigration reform — would end that practice and allow a U.S. citizen or permanent resident to sponsor their partners and children for immigration.
"With no ability to sponsor their partners, Americans are being forced abroad, taking their tax base, their talent, and enterprise to one of more than 20 countries that offer immigration benefits for lesbian and gay families," Kruse said. "Today's news is a welcome sign that lawmakers increasingly understand the terrible impact discriminatory immigration laws have on families, communities and our entire country. It is no longer acceptable to rip families apart, or to separate children from their parents. Now, it is imperative that Congress act before more families are separated. There is no more pro-family position than one that keeps all families together."
For more information on UAFA, visit www.immigrationequalityactionfund.org .