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Dear friend,
We have one day left to stop a married gay couple, Josh Vandiver and Henry Velandia, from being torn apart by an unjust deportation. Last month, we went “all out” in support of Josh and Henry - and thousands of other loving bi-national LGBT couples - demanding a moratorium on deportations. But Homeland Security has not responded yet, and Henry’s deportation hearing is TOMORROW. Now it’s time to turn up the heat before the final decision is made: Can you take a minute to call the Homeland Security comment line and ask them not to deport Henry? All you have to do is leave a message on their voicemail. Here's the number: (202) 282-8495 When you call, you can say something like this, but remember that your message will be more powerful if you speak directly from your heart: “Hi, I am (YOUR NAME) calling from (YOUR CITY), and this message is for Secretary Janet Napolitano. I am calling to ask for an immediate moratorium on deportations of loving LGBT married couples. I am incredibly disappointed that your office has done nothing to halt the impending deportation of Henry Velandia, married to American citizen Josh Vandiver. And he could be deported tomorrow!” Today, we're joining the Courage Campaign, Get Equal, Stop The Deportations, and immigrant rights groups are all working together to stop this deportation. Even Josh and Henry's congressional representative, Rush Holt, is working hard to stop this. If we all take a minute to leave a short voicemail, Janet Napolitano will hear just how many of us are concerned about Henry's case and this unfair policy that discriminates against tens of thousands of loving LGBT couples. The other night President Obama spoke eloquently about the history of America and, “the struggle for equality for all our citizens [and] our commitment to stand up for our values abroad.” If Josh and Henry were a straight couple, Josh could easily sponsor Henry's visa and keep their family together. Let’s help our government live up to those values, by ending this discriminatory policy. All best and All Out, Andre, Erika, Guillaume, Jeremy, Joseph, Prerna, Nita, Oli, Tile, Wesley and the rest of the team at All Out www.allout.org P.S. Please share this campaign with your friends now, and tell them to sign the letter to Secretary Janet Napolitano as well. We have 24 hours to stop the government from tearing Josh & Henry apart: http://www.allout.org/tornapart All Out is bringing people together in every corner of the planet and of every identity - lesbian, gay, straight, transgender and all that’s between and beyond - to build a world in which everyone can live freely and be embraced for who they are. SOURCES: Same-sex couple faces deportation dilemma (VIDEO Interview) All Out campaign "Our family is being torn apart" Confusion on Policy Over Married Gay Immigrants In Shift, U.S. Says Marriage Act Blocks Gay Rights Widowed Spouses Are Given Reprieve on Deportation Rule Majority in US Back Gay Marriage: Poll | |
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