 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
MEDIA CONTACT:
Task Force Action Fund urges for passage of Uniting American Families ActWASHINGTON, June 2 — The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund has submitted testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee urging for the passage of the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA), which would grant binational same-sex couples equal treatment under immigration laws. The committee has scheduled a hearing on the measure tomorrow. Statement by Rea Carey, Executive Director "U.S. immigration policy is supposed to be based on the principle of bringing and keeping families together. But for far too long, thousands of binational same-sex couples and their families have been kept separated, or are forced to live in exile. This discriminatory practice is painfully unfair and inhumane. UAFA is consistent with U.S. immigration law's existing policy of keeping families intact and ensuring the well-being of children. Family unification is part of our nation's immigrant history and heritage. Without the changes in law introduced by UAFA, thousands of same-sex couples and their families will continue to be kept separated or forced to live in exile. Nobody should ever be forced to choose between their partner and their country. "As members of Congress begin the debate on immigration, we urge them to include fair treatment of binational same-sex couples. No reform of the immigration system is genuinely comprehensive if same-sex couples and their families are excluded. We thank Chairman Patrick Leahy and the members of the Senate Judiciary Committee for holding a hearing on this critical issue." To read the Task Force Action Fund testimony, click here. –30– |
 |