United American Families Act to be Added to CIR ASAP

On May 24, Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) announced he would add same-sex binational couples to his House immigration reform bill known as “CIR ASAP (H.R. 4321). When the bill was introduced late last year, its failure to include same-sex binational couples was a glaring omission that spurned activists from Out4Immigration and beyond to flood the Representative’s office with phone calls, emails, letters and faxes. We also took the issue to the many elected officials who are supporters of the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA), LGBT rights and immigration rights and asked them to convey their concerns. When the bill comes up in the House for debate, Gutierrez has pledged to add an amendment that will allow LGBT Americans and permanent residents with foreign partners the right to sponsor their partners for a green card.

KJ