Shirley Tan & Family Advocate in DC
At the White House after West Wing meeting
This week Shirley Tan, her partner Jay Mercado, and sons Jashley and Jorienne pressed Congress and the White House for equal immigration rights for gay and lesbian binational families.
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The Tan-Mercado family met with several members of Congress, the staff of numerous additional Congressional offices, and, in a West Wing meeting, White House staffers to press for new cosponsors for the Uniting American Families Act and the House Reuniting Families Act, as well as for inclusion of lesbian and gay binational families in comprehensive immigration reform.
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Members and hill staff commended the family on – and thanked them for – their advocacy. They made it clear that they will not soon forget the family’s story or the plight of tens of thousands of other families like them. Supportive members told the family that they will continue to prioritize ending discrimination against LGBT immigrant families.
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With Senator Dianne Feinstein
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With Methodist Bishop Minerva Carcano. The United Methodist Church has endorsed UAFA and the Reuniting Families Act.
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With Congressman Jared Polis (D-CO)
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With Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin (D-WI)
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With Congressman Joseph Cao (R-LA)
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With Congresswoman Jackie Speier (D-CA)
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With Congressman Mike Honda (D-CA)
I’m so happy to see this….. it’s important that they meet the families impacted face to face.
Comment by Karla — September 16, 2009 @ 3:22 pm
Good Story, Everything gonna turn GREAT… Never give up our HOPE!!!
Comment by kenneth — September 16, 2009 @ 7:04 pm
Awesome work, surrounding legislators with our families and sharing our issues and how they affect our lives and our communities.. Thank you Immigration Equality!
Comment by Martha McDevitt-Pugh — September 16, 2009 @ 7:55 pm
[...] week Immigration Equality seized the moment and brought binational families to Washington to lobby for fair immigration law for US families. Meetings took place at the White House and with [...]
Pingback by All families deserve to be respected, honored and nurtured « Love Exiles — September 16, 2009 @ 8:33 pm
“Thank You” for posting this!, pictures etc etc.
WONDERFUL…….
Comment by derek — September 16, 2009 @ 8:40 pm
Yes hope that it helps to pass UAFA soon.
Comment by Dennis — September 16, 2009 @ 10:55 pm
It sure is irritating to see that picture of Shirley Tan’s family with Sen. Feinstein. I mean, she introduced special legislation for Tan, so she is obviously aware of our plight, yet she still hasn’t cosponsored the UAFA. She’s playing politics with our lives.
On the other hand, it’s good to see Rep. Cao in the above pics. Even though he is a Republican he is only a RINO. He says he will probably vote for health care reform. Plus, he is an immigration attorney by trade so I can see him signing on.
Thanks again Immigration Equality.
Comment by nola — September 17, 2009 @ 1:29 am
Thank you.
Comment by Lee — September 17, 2009 @ 9:21 am
Yes indeed, thanks IE! A most important gathering to us and in a frustrating manner, many of us are unable to attend. We all are busy working, thus contributing to society that we are not able to take a day off to go to Washington. So thanks to IE for organizing and representing us so well. Bravo!! and Thanks IE.
Comment by Joe — September 17, 2009 @ 12:10 pm
I was expecting to find here a blog entry about the “Respect for Marriage Act” and how this bill could benefit bi-national couples.
Any thoughts?
Thanks
Comment by Osman — September 17, 2009 @ 2:41 pm
Osman, Immigration Equality only concerns about immigration issue, not marriage. So I don’t think Immigration Equality will take part of repeal DOMA.
Comment by Dennis — September 17, 2009 @ 11:19 pm
Thank you Dennis.
Comment by Osman — September 18, 2009 @ 12:29 am
I just wanted to say that the law is very cruel for keeping family a part. I hope the immigration laws will change and let families and partners be together. This is an urgent issue and must be resolved asap – people have their lives on hold. What about all the couples that are living apart in other countries? They want to start families, have a joint property etc. The law cannot make these people wait!
Comment by Dianna — September 18, 2009 @ 10:05 am
I really want to thank the Tan family, they have been forced into the spotlight with this and they have been so wonderful in representing and advocating for us. Thanks to all who fight the fight!
Comment by bkbzipper — September 18, 2009 @ 7:52 pm
Kudos. What a great family!
Wonderful things will and SHOULD happen to them.
Comment by UK — September 21, 2009 @ 8:26 pm
Beautiful family! I am sending them tons of positive vibes! Truly, God’s love will shine on them and see them through! In the end they will win against all the challenges, families like them should be protected under US law! It is just the right and fair thing to do.
Comment by ricky — September 21, 2009 @ 11:50 pm
Yeah, but it seems to be going so slowly though. Hopefully,it is not just all talk but no actions.
Comment by Chung Cheng Fang — September 22, 2009 @ 11:06 am
I was interested to see that the United Methodist Church supports UAFA. I tried looking online and at the United Methodist website and couldn’t find any information about that.
Comment by Jon — September 23, 2009 @ 3:59 am
I have commented about RMA and how it impacts immigration at http://lezgetreal.com/?p=21836
Comment by Melanie Nathan — September 29, 2009 @ 4:31 am
For your information Joe, the Tan Mercado family also took off work which they could not afford to do to attend DC, both times that they were there. They do not accept any donations and hence they are the ones who have made the biggest sacrifice on behalf of all binationals. Also they were not forced into spotlight. When I took on their case to present to Senator Feinstein and COngresswoman Speier, they made me a promise to help others by working for UAFA. That is what they have continued to do. They have made appearances at many different events in California educating the populace as to binational plight, a task as also important to accomplishment to UAFA. For those who express resentment, The Tans are working hard for all and it took this so called special treatment.
Comment by Melanie Nathan — September 30, 2009 @ 10:33 pm
The Tan Mercado family rocks! I see them with a lot of Dems in the pics above. I think they should go in there and meet with as many republicans as possible. Those are the minds we have to turn (usually). I wish I had more money to donate but I always post this website on facebook, etc. hoping that it helps get some exposure.
Comment by Nikki — October 14, 2009 @ 1:49 am
[...] let her stay with her family in the United States. Tan has been busy testifying before Congress, meeting with White House officials, and speaking to the media about the need for immigration reform to make sure what happened to her [...]
Pingback by 8Asians.com » Shirley Tan: Advocate Person of the Year — November 16, 2009 @ 4:59 pm
[...] advocate for bi-national families. In addition to her testimony before the Senate, she has also met with White House officials and spoken out widely in the media about the need to pass immigration reform that will help [...]
Pingback by Shirley Tan Advocate’s Activist of the Year 2009 – Political Aftermath… - Lez Get Real — November 17, 2009 @ 3:12 pm