WASHINGTON - July 15 - The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, a longtime advocate for fair and humane comprehensive immigration reform, joined others in standing with members of Congress at a press conference today on Capitol Hill urging for passage of the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA), which would end discrimination against binational same-sex couples and their families. The coalition also released this joint statement.

Statement by Rea Carey, Executive Director National Gay and Lesbian Task Force

"U.S. immigration policy is supposed to be based on the principle of bringing and keeping families together, but the system is broken. Instead of unification, the policy often results in painful separation of loved ones. This must change. The U.S. has 12 million undocumented immigrants, including at least half a million lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. 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. UAFA is consistent with U.S. immigration law's existing policy of keeping families intact. We thank the members of Congress standing for equality today and for supporting the inclusion of LGBT families in all future comprehensive immigration reform efforts."