HRC Calls for Passage of Uniting American Families Act

by HRC Staff

Ending discrimination against same-sex, bi-national couples must be part of any immigration reform effort

WASHINGTON - Today the Human Rights Campaign - the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization - joined in a coalition of LGBT, immigrants' rights, civil rights and faith groups calling on Congress to enact the Uniting American Families Act (H.R.1024) as part of any future immigration reform effort.

HRC President Joe Solmonese released the following statement:

"Our nation should bring families together, not tear them apart, yet same-sex, bi-national couples are too often forced to separate because the government views them as strangers under the law. For far too long, leaders have ignored the devastating real-life consequences for these couples imposed by our current immigration policies. Family reunification is a primary goal of our immigration system but our government fails to accomplish this basic objective for thousands of loving same-sex couples."

HRC is a signatory along with more than 30 other organizations on a statement today calling on Congress to include the provisions of UAFA in any effort that reforms our immigration system. According to the most recent U.S. Census, nearly 36,000 lesbian and gay Americans are in bi-national couples. Their median age is 38, and 47% of bi-national couples are raising children.

The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.

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