Task Force Reiterates Call for Passage of Uniting American Families Act and Comprehensive Immigration Reform

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."