Grassroots call: Act now for family immigration rights!
Comprehensive immigration reform this year! All families must be included!
For the millions of families who live in fear every day of being torn apart, Comprehensive Immigration Reform (CIR) is not an abstract policy issue. CIR is not optional for those seeking asylum from their homes where they are persecuted for their sexual orientation or gender identity, and it cannot wait as people face inhumane detention standards.
Immigration reform is critical for our community, which is why the Task Force has made CIR an explicit priority this year. Earlier this spring, Task Force Executive Director Rea Carey called on Congress to take immediate action for comprehensive immigration reform:
“Thousands of binational same-sex couples and their families have been kept separated or forced to live abroad. This discriminatory practice is unfair and inhumane. No one should ever have to choose between their partner and their country or be denied the freedom to be with their families. Immigration reform is a national issue; it is an LGBT issue. It’s time for Congress and the president to step up and act now to reform this failed system. Our country has waited too long for action and solutions.”
Comprehensive immigration reform is in everyone’s interest because inequality for some is inequality for all. We have to unite for the most vulnerable in our community and take action. Our friends at Immigration Equality invite you to join Congressman Mike Honda, Bishop Minerva Carcaño, and families impacted by our broken immigration system on a call designed for activists and concerned community members like you.
To register and receive materials for the call: go to www.LGBTforCIR.org
Hear from:
• U.S. Congressman Mike Honda (D-Calif.), lead sponsor of the Reuniting Families Act and a tireless champion for family unification.
• Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño, United Methodist Church, who will discuss the moral imperative to move inclusive comprehensive immigration reform forward this year.
• Joriene and Jashley Mercado, U.S. citizen children whose lesbian mom Shirley Tan faces deportation; and another family impacted by our broken immigration system
• Karen Narasaki of the Asian American Justice Center and Rachel Tiven of Immigration Equality Action Fund will discuss simple ways for you to help pass inclusive immigration reform this year.
Conference call details:
Call-in number: 1-866-740-1260, passcode 6946500#
Date and time: Wednesday, July 28, 2010
8PM Eastern, 7PM Central, 6PM Mountain, 5PM Pacific
Duration: 1 hour
To register and receive materials for the call: go to www.LGBTforCIR.org
