Immigration Equality Is There As Honda Makes History for Our Families
Congressman Mike Honda has just posted video from Thursday’s press conference announcing The Reuniting Families Act (H.R. 2709), his landmark legislation addressing so many of the obstacles that families face in their quest to stay together . . . including those faced by lesbian and gay couples.
Take a minute and log onto YouTube to see Congressman Honda’s introduction . . . remarks by Immigration Equality’s executive director, Rachel Tiven . . . UAFA champion, Congressman Jerrold Nadler . . . and the media Q & A about this historic bill, which includes a passionate response from Hawaii Congressman Neil Abercrombie (at about 3 minutes in).
Then, if you haven’t already done so, ask your Member of Congress to cosponsor The Reuniting Families Act. And sure to check Congressman Honda’s RFA page for more information on the bill, including a complete list of endorsing organizations.
Any CIR that does not include UAFA is unacceptable. The thought that they would grant citizenship to non Americans who broke the law to get here before allowing me to claim my partner of 5 years who has never violated his visa is insane. The President has stated that he supports UAFA now he needs to put some pressure on Congress to make sure it is part of CIR. For those who think it will be stripped out, make the calls and send email and letters to your Representatives. Now is the time when we have to work even harder.
UAFA will happen but we need to make sure there is separation of church and state.
Comment by SeaMex — June 9, 2009 @ 6:16 pm
Excellent. Would love if these were captioned (as would others I assume). May I suggest one of these tools?
Comment by Christopher — June 9, 2009 @ 7:39 pm
Seamax: I agree. I’ve been with my partner for about 5 years as well, traveling back and forth to see each other.. waiting for a time when he’d be legal.
Comment by mark — June 9, 2009 @ 8:34 pm
Rachel looked very nice with her new hair style. She was very articulate as always. Thanks, Rachel, for being there for all of bi-national couples and immigrant families in our fight for equality and fairness. With the leadership of IE and our allies in Congress, victory is within reach!
Comment by Rick — June 9, 2009 @ 9:53 pm
The President has NOT stated he supports UAFA. As a senator he refused to sponsor it and was actually one of those who pushed to have it amended to include more onerous clauses calling for “proof” and financial ties that are far in excess of what straight people are required to do. I don’t know why he believes gay and lesbian people are more likely to commit immigration fraud – obviously under the current scheme 100% of phoney relationships for immigration fraud are carried out by straight people. We need support from BOTH parties and it is very self-defeating to keep ignoring the anti-gay actions of Democrat presidents http://foxforum.blogs.foxnews.com/2009/06/09/tommy-de-seno-don%e2%80%99t-ask-don%e2%80%99t-ask%e2%80%a6obama-snubs-gays-again/
Comment by SM — June 10, 2009 @ 7:39 am
SM you are actually wrong on obama, this is what he thinks
”
> Obama on record saying he worked to improve such legislation, the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA), “so we can afford same-sex couples the same rights and obligations as married couples in our immigration system.”
> Obama also on record saying, “Too often, the issue of LGBT rights is exploited by those seeking to divide us. But at its core, this issue is about who we are as Americans. It’s about whether this nation is going to live up to its founding promise of equality by treating all its citizens with dignity and respect.”
> Obama appoints Congressman Rahm Emanuel (D-IL) as Chief of Staff; Emanuel is one of 118 House co-sponsors of the UAFA.”
Comment by robert — June 10, 2009 @ 7:56 am
Since last week’s UAFA hearing was adjourned for a week, does anyone know if it’s being revisited today? If not, has a date been set?
Comment by Kai — June 10, 2009 @ 8:01 am
But SM i am very upset with Obama and how slow he is on the our issues and us being second class citizens.
someone sugested that he should issue and executive order in regard to UAFA and that is exactly what he should have done.
I was his suporter and contributor but i think Hillary would have done better job for us
Comment by robert — June 10, 2009 @ 8:03 am
There is no doubt Hillary would have done more for us because she would not have been trying to appease the religious right. You cannot be all things to all people and still stand for something. I also supported Obama in the general election and I am very disappointed by his lack of action for the LGBT community. Words are easy to say but they are just that words! Our civil rights should be a priority for this administration, before all other priorities. Civil rights effect our lives directly. I realize everyone is struggling now with the economy but gay couples are struggling also without the equal rights everyone else has.
Comment by InExile — June 10, 2009 @ 12:36 pm
Hillary has definitely done more for us at this stage already than the segregationist-in-chief has but I think I still like to see more of her being so pro-active before I feel I can support her without being worried that she is all talk and no action too. Some people in this administration are fantastic, especially Leahy, Abercrombie, Kerry, Nadler, Schumer, Specter and Baldwin but I feel that the Dems should not be allowed to get away with thinking, “oh we’ll pass the Matthew Shepard Act this year and tell the LGBT community that’s all you’re going to get in 2009 and you better put up with it and shut up”. If Al Franken’s victory in Minnesota is at long fucking last confirmed, the Dems have got absolutely no excuse to NOT pass ENDA, UAFA-inclusive bills and repeal DADT. Not with a 60 seat majority. But this being politics, this is almost certainly going to take longer than it should. It’s up to us to make sure the Dems aren’t allowed to rest on their laurels and that getting the Shepard Act on Obama’s desk is only the start of things. Hold them accountable, folks.
Comment by Tim — June 10, 2009 @ 1:26 pm
I have no doubt in my mind that Hillary would have been stalling at this stage on DADT. I think it would be even harder for her to move on it considering who signed it into law. Anyway, she never co-sponsored UAFA. She’s only ever someone’s friend when it suits her. Don’t get me wrong. I think she would have been a pretty good president. But I love the guy we got, and I feel confident that he will do the right thing in due time. Although we’d like him to do things dramatically and quickly, that’s not his style and 5 months is not much time, and, besides, he has his plate full. He’s a strategic thinker. He must know that if things don’t go well in Afghanistan that his critics would say “it’s because you forced them there homasuckhuls down our soldiers’ throats!” The president is right to plan things well, pick the best time and not act rashly. In the end it will benefit us.
Comment by Charles — June 10, 2009 @ 1:50 pm
that would be great charles,
but how long we have to wait for our basic right to be together?
even when uafa passes it is still pain in the ass to provide immigration with bunch of paperwork and it will cost money as well.
not that we do not spend money for traveling back and forth already.
it is our basic right and it is being put on hold.
but we are to blame since we are passive about our rights.
we should be long in the dc protesting and asking for our rights. but we will see i gues soon will obama keep his promise or not.
Comment by robert — June 10, 2009 @ 2:27 pm
The cycle of upping our hopes and then shoving us to the corner will repeat itself again in the 2010 election. While there are democratic candidates who are sincerely fighting for our cause in the government, there are still too many who only think about their political career rather than the will of the people, riding on the bandwagon of the idea that lgbt community will always back them once we are mentioned in their campaign speech. It is tough when you have the only one strong and viable party fighting for our cause, their loss in the election is our loss too. I personally think that some of them are too comfortable with that very fact. LGBT’s rely heavily on the democrats because they can change things and that they are on our side. Unfortunately, our plight only come to their attention when they are rallying for our support. Upon wining, we are again left in the corner or in the back room. We should just keep reminding them of the promises they made and if, there are candidates in the next election for post in the government who are really fighting for our cause, with records that shows their effort, we should pick them and leave out those who only speak loudly but act little. They should be held accountable. For those like Leahy, Nadler, Honda and various others, support for them should keep on coming.
Comment by Alex. A — June 10, 2009 @ 2:28 pm
I watched the Q & A on youtube, Rep. Abercrombie is great, it’s so nice to see a politician so passionate about humanity. We all should watch the videos linked above. Thank you IE.
Comment by bkbzipper — June 10, 2009 @ 3:19 pm
I was about to say the same thing. He is so passionate and i love every minute of it! Thank you Rep. Abercrombie and IE for sharing. His message is one society often ignore, keep forgetting the struggle of the past. He just gave an awesome wake up call!
Comment by Alex. A — June 10, 2009 @ 3:30 pm
does anyone know when exactly they will announce the results on Thursday? and where?
Comment by Kessha — June 10, 2009 @ 4:56 pm
Some news that, while very sad, they are important for us right now. I think we should spread the word about this story!
http://www.365gay.com/news/gay-couples-forced-to-flee-us-over-immigration-law/
Comment by Diego — June 10, 2009 @ 6:06 pm
I found this on Huffington Post, great article, a lot of gay issues mentioned and she included UAFA. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jennifer-brunner/whats-there-to-get-about_b_213585.html
Comment by bkbzipper — June 10, 2009 @ 6:40 pm
again..I raise this issue/question….re #17 comment “mayor” san antonio etc…
WHY don’t these “people” ( Mayor or any other person highr “UP” in the
political ladder…Highr up than an average person like me)
WHY DON”T they make a stand or start “questioning” laws rules and “work” the power ladder of official’s at the same leval or futher up.?
they are positioned in sometimes better places than us .why do they just roll over and or leave?.why don’t they speak out they have a platform to do so?
Im always amazed at this?…………..AGAI if I had his position….I’d shout loud n clear.
this is the 21st century ..it’s not the dark ages anymore…what is immigration gonna do to a person like this nothin?…..hes perfectly positioned to be able to voice out loud…….9ok so he “eventually’ would loose his “seat’ be he’s resigned and moved..where’s the “good” in that for all us ordinary everyday people tryin to get through this.
i just don’t get it!……
Comment by derek — June 10, 2009 @ 6:48 pm
@Derek (19): Just occurred to me, maybe the mayor (San Antonio) is not even aware of UAFA!! Anyone have his email in Mexico?? LOL
Comment by Joe — June 10, 2009 @ 7:01 pm
@Keesha (16): It is news to me that something will be announced on Thursday. Can you kindly share the source of your info? Thnx.
Comment by Joe — June 10, 2009 @ 7:03 pm
@Derek 19. I agree with you, he should shout loud and clear, he is in a better position than we are. The good side of it is that someone in a higher position had to leave the country because of immigration discrimination. It has more impact. Who cares of my partner has to live the US to move to Argentina and live with me? No one… but when it comes to someone that is in a somewhat higher position, it has more impact in the public. It’s also good to know he’s a Republican, so Republicans can see they are against themselves! I hope this news gets to CNN, NYTimes and all the major media! And I hope they are wise enough to directly link that story to UAFA.
Comment by Diego — June 10, 2009 @ 7:38 pm
There is a bi-national couple story which shows the necessity of passing UAFA
http://www.metro.us/us/article/2009/06/11/01/2507-82/index.xml
Comment by Frank — June 10, 2009 @ 8:36 pm
Must see….that’s great comment from Keith Olbermann. We have to fight for our equality and educate our next generation on equality.
Special Comment on Gay Marriage ~ Keith Olbermann
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnHyy8gkNEE&feature=related
Comment by Kim — June 10, 2009 @ 11:33 pm
Homegrown hate groups increase in number
Watchdog group blames recession, election of first black president…….ST. LOUIS, Mo. – On a recent Saturday afternoon, hate was on the march in St. Louis. About 85 members of the National Socialist Movement (NSM), the nation’s largest neo-Nazi group, gathered in the shadow of the famed Gateway Arch for a march and rally celebrating its 35th anniversary.
Clad in all black, with their pants tucked into tightly laced combat boots, the group carried swastika flags and signs urging immigrants to leave the country. They chanted “Sieg Heil,” a popular rallying cry in World War II Germany, accompanied by a Nazi salute: one arm outstretched, fingers tightly joined, palms facing down.
Their critics say that groups like NSM are the faces of homegrown hate, something the NSM denies. They instead call themselves a “white civil rights organization.” Its ultimate goal is to whitewash America. If they had their way, U.S. citizenship would be limited to “those of pure white blood”; minorities would live in the country as guests. All Jewish people and gays would be forced to leave and immigration would be prohibited. …….. As shocking as those views are, groups like this are more popular than ever.
“Right across the board, extremist groups are thriving right now,” says Mark Potok, Director of the Southern Poverty Law Center’s Intelligence Project.
The SPLC has been tracking hate groups for almost 30 years. In its spring 2009 Intelligence Report, they found that 926 hate groups are currently operating in the U.S., an all-time high. These groups include the Ku Klux Klan, neo-Nazis, racist skinheads and Black separatists.
Potok attributes this rise in hate groups to the recession, the election of the nation’s first black president, and the immigration debate.
“We’re looking at a kind of perfect storm of factors that really favor the continued growth of these groups,” he says. ……… Last month the Department of Homeland Security issued a report on the expansion of right wing extremist groups, saying those organizations are being fueled by the economic downturn and the election of Barack Obama.
But experts say it is the immigration debate that is most significantly contributing to the rise of hate groups, an issue that is exacerbated by the shaky economy.
“These groups have really successfully exploited the immigration issue,” Potok says. “For them it’s ‘brown skin people are coming into this country to destroy us.’”
Some groups, like the NSM, blame immigrants for the scarcity of available jobs.
“The government keeps telling us that these people are coming here to take the jobs that no one else wants,” says Jeff Schoep, head of the NSM. “I think it’s a lie, I think it’s a farce, and I think the American people are tired of being lied to.”
Officials say the NSM is a non-violent organization. But others are turning their frustrations into violent action. The immigration backlash has led to a surge in hate crimes against Hispanics, up 40 percent between 2003 and 2007, according to FBI statistics.
Last November, 37-year-old Ecuadorian immigrant Marcelo Lucero, a 16-year resident of the U.S., was attacked while walking near his home in Patchogue, New York. Prosecutors say a group of seven teens taunted Lucero with racial slurs, beat him, and fatally stabbed him in the chest. The reason? According to prosecutors they were “beaner hopping”: attacking Hispanics for sport. All of the defendants have pled not guilty.
“In that moment, the world collapsed on my shoulders and everything changed,” says the victim’s brother, Joselo Lucero. “I don’t want my community, my people suffering anymore. Because everyday people wake up to work and they don’t know if they’re going to come back.”
Potok says the election of Barack Obama as the nation’s first black president has also been a powerful recruiting tool for some hate groups, and led to a rash of violence and vandalism in the days after the election.
While that overall situation is worrisome, Potok points out that in some ways it also marks signs of progress.
“The long arc of history really does bend towards justice. What we are seeing I think is a backlash to real and significant social advance.”
Comment by kev uk — June 11, 2009 @ 4:34 am
3 more co-sponsors in the house…
Rep Miller, Brad [NC-13] – 6/10/2009
Rep Schwartz, Allyson Y. [PA-13] – 6/10/2009 Rep Brady, Robert A. [PA-1] – 6/10/2009
Total is now 109!
Comment by Sue — June 11, 2009 @ 6:43 am
The RFA has 2 new co-sponsors in the house too….
Rep Pastor, Ed [AZ-4] – 6/10/2009
Rep Rangel, Charles B. [NY-15] – 6/10/2009
Total is now 60!
Comment by Sue — June 11, 2009 @ 6:54 am
didn’t they say at the hearing that they would be back in one week with a decision? or did I misunderstand something?
does anybody know when there will be some news regarding the hearing? : (
Comment by Kessha — June 11, 2009 @ 7:38 am
They said that they would leave the hearing open for one week incase anyone else would like to add their vote for those that didn’t attend!
Comment by kev uk — June 11, 2009 @ 7:44 am
oh thanks, I didn’t get it right..
how many co-sponsors do we need in total?
Comment by Kessha — June 11, 2009 @ 7:47 am
It seems as if we’re in limbo right now. No one seems to know what’s going on. The week has passed, and no one heard any news about the hearing. I’m getting concerned…
Comment by Diego — June 11, 2009 @ 7:47 am
Yeah me too… Although the hearing was a great success nothing seems to move on…
Comment by Kessha — June 11, 2009 @ 7:52 am
The thing is…there are those of us that doesn’t fully understand the way things work in the American democratic system especially if you’re from another country, I think it would be nice if someone from IE would explane to us what’s going on or atleast keep us informed! I know the guys at IE are extremely busy with all the hard work their doing on our behalf, but surely they realize there are us fokes hanging onto every word and bit of news!
Comment by kev uk — June 11, 2009 @ 7:58 am
@kev, agreed! There must be someone keeping a finger on the pulse of this hearing situation, but it’s impossible to find anything pertaining to it. Sigh. I hope it hasn’t just been swept under the carpet…
Comment by Kai — June 11, 2009 @ 8:14 am
For all interested, here’s a primer on how a bill becomes a law:
http://www.votesmart.org/resource_govt101_02.php
Comment by Rick D — June 11, 2009 @ 8:15 am
Last night Rachael Maddow gave us a plug. She dodn’t mention UAFA specifically, but pointed out the problem we face. Apparently there had been a law that said that if US citizen is petitioning for opposite-gender spouse’s visa and US party dies before 2-year anniversary, foreign national gets deported. That law has just been reversed. Rachael contrasted that to those with gay spouse who get deported whether US national is dead or alive. Her conclusion was that from the point of view of US immigration: Dead straight spouse = good. Live gay spouse = bad.
She did it in her usual affable way. I love her. I think she’s great for the image of LGBT in general.
Comment by Charles — June 11, 2009 @ 9:02 am
Not that it’s a nation-wide thing, but the Philadelphia Metro magazine ran an article today on gay marriage and the first profile was of a couple facing immigration issues. Unfortunately, it doesn’t mention UAFA… but the more the news gets out and the more people put faces and stories to our cause, the better!
Comment by Kai — June 11, 2009 @ 9:15 am
3 more sponsors in the house! 108 now…
Comment by bkbzipper — June 11, 2009 @ 9:24 am
Thank you Rick @35. We are obviously in Committee Action, but I wonder where exactely…
Comment by Diego — June 11, 2009 @ 10:16 am
@Charles, I agree on Rachel Maddow: she is wonderful and it is largely due to her valiant efforts that Robert Gibbs got pestered so frequently on DADT in recent weeks. Chuffed to hear she touched on marriage equality and immigration reform, hopefully she returns to it as she did with DADT. I think it was the folks from Hardball on MSNBC who kept bringing DADT up as well, but I might misremembering it.
Great news about the new cosponsors – funny how it always seems to be the end of the week when new sponsors are announced. 22 sponsors more and we’d have surpassed the previous record of 129 in the Congress session of 2003 (and remember, that was in Bush’s first term!). At the rate it’s been going I think that’s definitely achieveable and I’d say if it ever goes past 130, then the Dems definitely ought to feel comfortable enough to put UAFA to a floor vote in the House. That said, nothing prevents them from having a vote already: it’s about getting the subcommittee to pass it, so we have to keep up with our dual strategy of writing to Congressmen but especially those who are on the subcommittee (anyone wanting to know who these are, look through previous talkbacks). Lofgren is one of them but I’d also suggest writing to Conyers. He’s supportive of LGBT rights but he might need a reminder that this bill has been with the subcommittee for three months now.
Comment by Tim — June 11, 2009 @ 10:58 am
I just received an email from one of Rep. Frank Pallone Jr.’s staffers. He’s signed as a co-sponsor!
Comment by Diego — June 11, 2009 @ 2:15 pm