Washington Post Supports the Uniting American Families Act!

Washington Post today wrote an editorial in support of the passage of Uniting American Families Act. I have copied a few paragraphs here but feel free to click on the link to be directed to their website to read the entire article and make a comment.

Separation Anxiety

Gay couples should be allowed to stay together in the United States
Monday, March 16, 2009; Page A16

THE UNITING American Families Act would allow gay and lesbian Americans and permanent residents to sponsor their foreign-born partners for legal residency in the United States. The bill, introduced last month in the Senate by Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and in the House by Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), would add "permanent partner" and "permanent partnership" after the words "spouse" and "marriage" in relevant sections of the Immigration and Nationality Act. If passed, it would right a gross unfairness.

Under the proposal, a "permanent partnership" is defined as a "committed, intimate relationship" with another adult "in which both parties intend a lifelong commitment." The couple must be financially interdependent and not married to or in a permanent partnership with anyone else. And the partners can't be related. The benefit comes with the same immigration restrictions and enforcement standards that apply to heterosexual couples. Fraudulent permanent partnerships face the same penalties as fake marriages: up to five years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine.

"Under current law, committed same-sex foreign partners of American citizens are unable to use the family immigration system, which accounts for a majority of the green cards and immigrant visas granted annually by the United States," Mr. Leahy said upon introducing the bill. "The promotion of family unity has long been part of federal immigration policy, and we should honor that principle by providing all Americans the opportunity to be with their loved ones." According to the most recent census, he added, about 35,000 binational, same-sex couples are living in the United States. The new legislation would ensure that the family connections valued under immigration law are extended to gays and lesbians.

(read more)

Alicia's learning to be silly.... :)

Our little girl has been verbalizing for some time but have also recently started speaking a few words... first word she learnt was "hot" and we think she thinks that Hot = Kitchen. Since that is the word we always say when she crawls into the kitchen.... HOT!!!

Then came "Oh Boy" - well she cannot say boy yet, but she goes "oooooooooooooh bbbbbb"

She just started using the word "Up" last week and this weekend, she started "OUCH!"... we thinks she is progressing really well and it is real amazing to see her pick up words (she also says nana for banana and understand "biscuit" or "饼干" which is biscuit in chinese...

Here's her learning how to make sounds (like raspberry sounds) with her lips and fingers.

Isn't she cute?

2 more cosponsors for UAFA in the House!

Just found out that 2 more cosponsors signed on to the Uniting American Families Act in the house, making it a total of 88 cosponsors!

The 2 congressperson that signed on are:
Rep Clarke, Yvette D. [NY-11] - 3/3/2009
Rep Cummings, Elijah E. [MD-7] - 3/3/2009

If you live in any of the districts whose reps have sponsored the bill, please be sure to thank them!

Rep Clarke's contact information can be found here.
Rep Cummings' contact information can be found here.

Click on the link below to find out who has signed on to sponsor the bill (and please contact those who have not signed on to urge them to support the bill)

UAFA in the senate.
UAFA in the house.

For more information about the Uniting American Families Act, click here.

More Co-sponsors for Uniting American Families Act!

We have secured 1 more cosponsors in the senate and 7 more in the house since its introduction on Feb 12th, 2009.

Senator Bernie Sanders from VT signed on. I think my husband, Mickey, speaking to him at an event in San Francisco organized by the Progressive Campaign worked. He was the last person to ask a question and his question was simple. "Will you sign on to the Uniting American Families Act? You have in the past but so far since you have been in the senate, you have not sign on yet." Sen Sander's answer "YES".

One and a half week later - he did. Maybe a lot of you have been calling him... but selfishly, I think my husband made the difference. :)

And I want to urge all of you to please call... yes, you do make a difference whether a representative or senator will sign on to the bill.

Who knows? Your call to the representative might have contributed to the 7 more house representative to sign on to the bill.

Rep DeLauro, Rosa L. [CT-3] - 2/13/2009
Rep Hastings, Alcee L. [FL-23] - 2/23/2009
Rep Bishop, Timothy H. [NY-1] - 2/23/2009
Rep Harman, Jane [CA-36] - 2/23/2009
Rep Conyers, John, Jr. [MI-14] - 2/23/2009
Rep Larson, John B. [CT-1] - 2/26/2009
Rep Clay, Wm. Lacy [MO-1] - 2/26/2009

So, please call your representative and continue to urge them to sign on and sponsor the Uniting American Families Act.

Find out who your representative is at http://www.congressmerge.com/onlinedb/index.htm, then call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask to be connected to your U.S. Representative.

Tell your representative's staff:

I am calling to ask Representative ______________ to be a cosponsor of the Uniting American Families Act of 2009.

The U.S. government discriminates against gay and lesbian binational couples by not allowing them to sponsor their foreign-born life partners for immigration. Because of this, they face the terrible choice of separating from the person they love or leaving the country. As Americans, they should not have to choose between family and country. Please ask Rep. _______________ to cosponsor the Uniting American Families Act of 2009 by reaching out to Rep. Nadler/Senator Leahy right away.

Thank you!
Amos