Week 33 -- Letter Writing Campaign

by Kathy Drasky

Out4Immigration is an all grassroots organization and our letter writing campaign is now in its 33rd week. Each week we write to a list of representatives in Congress or the Senate and ask them to become a cosponsor of the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA) and to support Comprehensive Immigration Reform.

We encourage you to take part in this campaign by using one of three options: (1) The O4I form letter provided below; (2) Your own letter; or (3) Creating a booklet telling your story. See http://tinyurl.com/o4i-toolkit1 for more info on this option.

This week's targets and their contact info is at the end of this post; our sample letter follows. Good luck -- and thanks for taking part in the Out4Immigration letter writing campaign. Each contact we make really does make a difference!

Sample 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]

This week's contacts are:

Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL-4)

2266 Rayburn House Office Building

District of Columbia 20515-1304

Fax: (202) 225-7810

Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA-32)

2421 Rayburn HOB

Washington, D.C. 20515

Fax: (202) 225-5467

judy.chu@mail.house.gov

https://forms.house.gov/chu/contact-form.shtml

Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO-5)

1027 Longworth House Office Building

Washington, DC 20515

Fax: 202-225-4403

emanuel.cleaver@mail.house.gov

http://www.house.gov/cleaver/IMA/issue.htm

Rep. Rick Larsen (D-WA-2)

108 Cannon House Office Building

Washington, DC 20515

Fax: (202) 225-4420

rick.larsen@mail.house.gov

http://www.house.gov/larsen/contact/

Rep. John Sarbanes (D-MD-3)

426 Cannon HOB

Washington DC 20515

Fax: (202) 225-9219

john.sarbanes@mail.house.gov

http://sarbanes.house.gov/federal.asp