From the ImmigrationEquality.org BlogIn an exciting, and historic, development, Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) announced just moments ago that he will convene a Congressional hearing, on June 3rd, about the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA). This extraordinary news means that, for the first time, our families will be the subject of a hearing specifically addressing the plight of binational lesbian and gay couples.
All of us at Immigration Equality are incredibly proud to be working closely with Senator Leahy to make this moment possible. And we’re incredibly proud of our supporters, too. Your phone calls and email to Congress – and the courage of your families and families like Shirley Tan and Jay Mercado in speaking out – were critically important in our efforts.
The June 3rd hearing will not only be a milestone on our path to victory in Washington, but it will also be a watershed moment for ensuring that our families are part of the national conversation on immigration reform. This will be a powerful moment – and a significant step forward – in our work to educate lawmakers about our relationships and engage Congressional leaders on the issue. Members of Congress are traditionally reluctant to pass legislation that has not been discussed and weighed in at Congressional hearings, so a hearing is critical to UAFA’s future success, and its inclusion in comprehensive immigration reform. The hearing is, quite simply, one of the most significant moments ever in our work to secure full equality for lesbian and gay binational couples.
In the coming days, we will have more information on this landmark hearing. If you haven’t already, sign up for Immigration Equality email updates delivered directly to your inbox. And please continue to visit our website and blog for important updates.
We will continue our work to make sure our families are included in this historic moment . . . and continue to keep all of our supporters updated on what’s happening and how you can be involved.
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3 comments:
That's good news! But how does the process usually go? I am not familiar with lawmaking procedures. Can someone explain more on that? How and how long may it take for something to become a law? I am just feeling impatient after such a long period of waiting!!
Hi Anonymous.
I'm not ignoring you. I don't know enough about the procedure to answer you well, so I'm going to ask a friend to come here to answer your question.
I understand your impatience.
Hi here I am, the friend- Actually I think Anonymous may have contacted me directly. I have been getting so many requests for information that I made a page on my Blog that provides a smatering of information about the Senate Judiciary Committee, Procedure, members, comments etc. In a brief answer, I can say it is impossible to predict timing or where it goes. It will be interesting to see the Witness list which will become public next week. I will keep you all posted.
In the meantime I also posted ideas on how people can be active.
I am also compiling a list of Binationals and have a form to be filled in - Names will be anonymous, I do not know if tere is a comprehensive list out there and I have been working on it for a while. So interested then please contact me at nathan@privatecourts.com
Blog page = www.oblogdeeoblogda.wordpress.com
Thanks, best, Melanie Nathan
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