Comprehensive Immigration Reform Framework Announced

Yesterday Senators Reid, Schumer, Menendez, Feinstein, and Durbin released a conceptual framework for immigration reform. One of American Families United's Washington representatives was quoted in a front-page story in the New York Times: "Mr. Schumer 'made an effort to fix every piece of the system that doesn’t work right,' said Paul Donnelly, an advocate for legal immigrants."

Fixes for all of our urgent issues are on the table.

Reuniting citizens with their immigrant spouses
We know that Senator Schumer supports reuniting citizens with their immigrant spouses, and this is definitely on the table. There's already legislative language that contains fixes to reunite US citizens who are separated from their immigrant spouses. Our Senators just need to continue to hear from us that our families are affected by the current broken immigration system.

Reuniting lawful permanent residents with their spouses and children
The framework proposes "Spouses and children of lawful permanent residents will be classified as 'immediate relatives' to promote the efficient reunification of families."

Ending stepchild deportation
The framework proposes that immigration reform "... would address several other technical issues related to stepchildren and adoptive children."

CIR ASAP Act Introduced: Great Step Forward for Family Unity

Congressman Ortiz and 91 co-sponsors introduced HR 4321, the Comprehensive Immigration Reform for America's Security and Prosperity Act of 2009. For the first time ever, all of our urgent issues are addressed in one bill, some to a greater extent than others.

As constituents and voters, American Families United applauds Congressman Ortiz, Congressman Gutierrez and other co-sponsors of the bill for their strong support of family values, and we urge the Chairwoman of the Immigration Subcommittee in the House of Representatives to include these family values reforms in the final comprehensive immigration reform bill to come out of committee.

The full text of the bill is available at the Library of Congress:
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:H.R.4321:

Our issues are addressed in the following sections of the bill:
End Stepchild Deportation - complete solution in sections 311 and 312
Reform Hardship Waivers - partial solution in sections 304 and 305
Reunite Green Card Spouses - complete solution in section 302
Improve Name Check Delays - partial solution in section 604

Denied! An Immigration Story of Faith and Hope

Today Keith Campbell began marketing his book, "Denied!". Long-time members may remember Keith and Akiko in the press two years ago. Now is your chance to read the full story of their 10-year, bitter fight to be together, and maybe pick up a copy for a friend as well, to help educate the public about the reality that faces far too many families today.

Denied! is available on Amazon.com

P.S. Please don't forget to sign on to www.igive.com/afu before making your purchase to earn a donation to American Families United.

Avon Fundraiser to Benefit American Families United

Now through December 16, Christy, a member from Indiana, is sponsoring an Avon fundraiser to benefit American Families United.

As a reminder, if you sign up on iGive first, you can qualify for an additional $5 donation on your first purchase.

LOVE and DOCUMENTS @ the Egyptian Theater -Hollywood-tickets now online!

For those in Los Angeles, our short (puppet) documentary highlighting the waiver issue was accepted to the 6th Annual Artivist Film Festival! Ben Fine, the director, will be there for Q & A afterwards!

DHS Secretary Nepolitano Starts Push for Immigration Reform

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Nepolitano said in a speech today that President Obama has asked her to take a lead role is pushing for immigration reform early next year. Statements from some key players in Congress were reported in the Wall Street Journal.