Week 32 of Letter Writting - Keep up the amazing effort!

by Amos Lim

Out4Immigration is an all grassroots organization and our letter writing campaign is now in its 32nd week. We have had successes in our campaign by getting more cosponsors on board. We are also constantly adapting the campaign from feedbacks that we received from our members and from our allies. There are people who are interested in doing more than just simple cut and paste and after some discussion, we are incorporating those request into our letter writing campaign.

You now have three options in using the names and addresses of the targets we provide:

1) Send the Out4Immigration form letter (posted here) by changing the areas in bold only. If you choose this "form letter" option, you can sign the letter as a member of O4I and use O4I letterhead.

2) Write your own letter to these targets telling your personal story. If you choose to do this, please know that you must do this as an individual, not a member of Out4Immigration, and you cannot use the O4I name, letterhead or any other branding.

3) Send each target a self-made booklet that tells your story, shows pictures of your family, includes letters from your employer or others in the community identifying their support for you and the UAFA. Again, you should send this an individual, although you can use news clippings and links to organizations that advocate for same-sex binational couples like O4I, IE, Marriage Equality, Love Exiles, etc. See our toolit: http://tinyurl.com/o4i-toolkit1 for more ideas. Obviously, this option will take up more of your time and money -- and will have to be sent via snail mail.

Each week we try to provide a general email address that will accept emails from anywhere in the world (not just the representative's constituents). However, some Reps and Senators have chosen to limit their email and you won't get through unless you live in their district. That's why we also provide a fax number and the snail mail address.

Whichever option you choose (and please, choose at least one!) know that you are making a difference -- and please don't give up!

House Version of template letter:

[Today's Date]

Dear [Congressman/Congresswoman Name],

I am writing to ask you for your support by becoming a co-sponsor of the Uniting American Families Act (H.R. 1024 /UAFA; S. 424) sponsored in the House by Rep. Jerrold Nadler and in the Senate by Sen. Patrick Leahy, and the Reuniting Families Act (H.R. 2709) sponsored in the House by Rep. Mike Honda.

[I am] [I know] people directly affected by the current unfair immigration policies in this country that deny gay and lesbian Americans the right to sponsor their permanent partner to live with them in the United States.

As you may be aware, these Americans in loving and committed relationships are often forced to make heartbreaking decisions to maintain their relationship. More often than not, these include having to leave the United States in order to be with the person they love. These American citizens are forced to give up careers, leave behind aging parents and young adult children who rely on them and leave a community which benefits from their ongoing and active participation.

Both the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA) and the Reuniting Families Act (RFA) simply seek to provide gay and lesbian U.S. citizens and permanent residents the right to sponsor their partner for immigration. Each bill outlines the same process and penalties that are applied in heterosexual partner (i.e., marriage or fiancée) sponsorship applications.

By co-sponsoring these bills, you are showing your dedication to equality and the belief that no American should be forced to choose between their country and the person they love.

Thank you for your time on this important matter. I hope that your name will be added to the list co-sponsors on these bills, and you will support their inclusion in any discussions concerning Comprehensive Immigration Reform.

Respectfully,

[YOUR NAME]

Congressman John Salazar (D-CO-3)

326 Cannon HOB

Washington, DC 20515

202-226-9669 (fax)

john.salazar@mail.house.gov

Congressman Dennis Cardoza (D-CA-18)

1224 Longworth Building

Washington, DC 20515

Fax: (202) 225-0819

dennis.cardoza@mail.house.gov

Congressman Jim Costa (D-CA-20)

1314 Longworth House Office Building

Washington, DC 20515

Fax: 202-225-9308

jim.costa@mail.house.gov

http://www.house.gov/formcosta/issue.htm

Congressman Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM-3)

502 Cannon HOB

Washington, D.C. 20515

Fax: (202) 226-1528

ben.lujan@mail.house.gov

https://forms.house.gov/lujan/webforms/issue_subscribe.htm

Congressman Anh Joseph Cao (R-LA-2)

2113 Rayburn HOB

Washington, DC 20515

f. (202) 225-1988

joseph.cao@mail.house.gov

https://josephcao.house.gov/Contact/ContactForm.htm