US immigration equality: Shirley Tan & Family Advocate in DC

Source: Immigration Equality

At the White House after West Wing meeting

This week Shirley Tan, her partner Jay Mercado, and sons Jashley and Jorienne pressed Congress and the White House for equal immigration rights for gay and lesbian binational families.

The Tan-Mercado family met with several members of Congress, the staff of numerous additional Congressional offices, and, in a West Wing meeting, White House staffers to press for new cosponsors for the Uniting American Families Act and the House Reuniting Families Act, as well as for inclusion of lesbian and gay binational families in comprehensive immigration reform.

Members and hill staff commended the family on – and thanked them for – their advocacy. They made it clear that they will not soon forget the family’s story or the plight of tens of thousands of other families like them. Supportive members told the family that they will continue to prioritize ending discrimination against LGBT immigrant families.

With Senator Dianne Feinstein

With Methodist Bishop Minerva Carcano. The United Methodist Church has endorsed UAFA and the Reuniting Families Act.

With Congressman Jared Polis (D-CO)

With Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin (D-WI)

With Congressman Joseph Cao (R-LA)

With Congresswoman Jackie Speier (D-CA)

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With Congressman Mike Honda (D-CA)