PRESIDENT’S IMMINENT EXECUTIVE ORDER COULD EXCLUDE LGBTQ IMMIGRANTS
WASHINGTON, DC, November 19, 2014 — The White House has announced that the President will address the nation tomorrow, Thursday, November 20 at 8 pm ET regarding his imminent executive order on immigration. Various reliable news reports today indicate that the proposed executive order would provide limited immigration relief and would exclude thousands of LGBTQ undocumented immigrants.
“We are seriously concerned with reports that the President’s action on immigration may exclude up to 6 million undocumented immigrants as well as LGBTQ undocumented immigrants. Currently, more than 267,000 undocumented LGBTQ immigrants live in the United States without a pathway to citizenship.
“Millions of immigrants come to the US fleeing persecution, death threats or unsafe and inhumane conditions without any family ties and with the hope of freedom, justice, and equality. In at least 79 countries around the world, LGBTQ people face criminalization, imprisonment, and death simply because of who they are and love.
“We urge President Obama to exercise strong leadership in his imminent executive action by protecting all immigrants, including LGBTQ immigrants and immigrants living with HIV and AIDS, and provide all undocumented immigrants with a fighting chance to access the promise of America.
“Despite the recent reports, we hope that the President’s action is bold and courageous. Ultimately, Congress must act to completely fix the broken immigration system. But the President has the legal authority to provide substantive relief now.â€
–Stacey Long Simmons, Director of Public Policy and Government Affairs, National LGBTQ Task Force
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