Help our Binational Couples Contact Your Congressperson "Current immigration law is not only unjust and unfair, it's downright mean." David Juhren, LOFT Executive Director The morning of January 28, 2009, started as usual for Shirley Tan of Pacifica, California. The mother of two, originally from The Philippines, was getting her 12-year-old twin sons ready for school, and preparing to see her partner of 23 years, Jaylynn Mercado, off to work. Until the 7 a.m. knock on the door. When Shirley answered, agents from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) produced an order of deportation, which Shirley had never seen before, then handcuffed her and threw her into a waiting van. Instantly, Shirley's entire family -- and the life she had built over two decades with them -- was in jeopardy. Because Jaylynn is a woman, she could not sponsor Shirley for residency, as straight Americans can do. The LOFT and our allies are working with Immigration Equality to pass the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA), which would allow gay and lesbian Americans to sponsor their foreign born partners for residency in the United States – and we need your help. Your member of Congress could provide critical support to this urgent issue - but they won’t know how important it is until they hear from you. Please call Congresswoman Nan Hayworth’s DC office at (202) 225-5441 and say: “I’m calling to ask Nan Hayworth to sponsor the Uniting American Families Act. Families in our area are affected by this, and no American should have to choose between the person they love and our country. Thank you.” Then, please email your elected officials in Washington right away and ask them to support the Uniting American Families Act. You can do it using Immigration Equality's easier emailer, by Clicking Here! Every day, thousands of LGBT Americans like Shirley are threatened with the choice between losing their families and leaving the country they call home. Our community must stand with families like the Tan-Mercados. Please email your elected officials today! If you would like to share your story or find out other ways to get involved with the Uniting American Families Act, please contact Immigration Equality. Thank you for all you do for equality! LOFT Advocates