According to Immigration Equality, Rep. Luis Gutierrez of Chicago is meeting with Congressional colleagues this Thursday to decide whether a provision to include LGBT rights will be included in a comprehensive immigration reform bill to be introduced soon. Same sex couples need the same rights, regardless of citizenship status. We need Gutierrez’ constituents, donors, and other activists to reach out to his staff now. If a “comprehensive immigration reform” effort passes congress without the provision for same-sex couples, it will be virtually impossible to move it forward separately.
Would you call Susan Collins (Legislative Director for Gutierrez at 202-225-8203 (or Jennice Fuentes, Chief of Staff, if you know her) and convey these messages:
This is a progressive immigration bill and the LGBT community must not be left behind. We commend Congressman Gutierrez vocal support for the Uniting American Families Act over the years and it is essential that UAFA – and our community – be included in his comprehensive immigration reform bill. We cannot continue to be locked out of the U.S. immigration system.
If this is an LGBT-inclusive bill, we can help mobilize our LGBT base in support of it. We have a strong grassroots movement that must be part of any coalition effort to achieve immigration reform – but we can only mobilize this support if our families are included. If you make this call, it would be very helpful for you to send me an email, and let me know what kind of response you received. I’ll be passing the information about to Immigration Equality for their ongoing lobbying efforts.
