New York, NY — Immigration Equality, the national non-profit organization advocating for equality under U.S. immigration law for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and HIV-positive individuals and their loved ones, is extremely disappointed and preparing to take action based on President Obama’s decision to delay his executive order on immigration.
Abandoning his own promise to act by the end of summer jeopardizes and endangers the lives of 267,000 undocumented LGBT Americans who urgently need relief from deportation. Waiting until after the November congressional elections to lead on immigration is evidence of President Obama’s inconsistent record on immigration issues for the LGBT community. His choice to, yet again, put politics ahead of people is unacceptable.
“We worked faithfully with the President’s advisors on immigration and LGBT policy to help ensure that 267,000 undocumented LGBT Americans would find relief from deportation by the end of summer,” said Trina C. Olson, Interim Executive Director of Immigration Equality. “This announcement to delay hurts thousands of LGBT individuals and families, who can not safely return to homophobic and transphobic violence they were forced to flee. Immigration Equality will continue to push all decision-makers in Washington to act towards humane relief and comprehensive immigration reform.”
On Tuesday, September 9 at 10 a.m., Immigration Equality alongside LGBT immigration movement leaders from across the country will begin a day of action in front of the White House to demand the President use his authority to create a broad and inclusive solution that fully addresses our community’s urgent needs. Since all decision-makers must act immediately, we will also call on Congress to use its power to pass lasting immigration reform that is both comprehensive and humane.
“President Obama just wasted an opportunity to change the lives of hundreds of thousands of members of the LGBT community,” said Aaron C. Morris, Legal Director of Immigration Equality. “We can’t wait any longer. The President must put politics aside and use all opportunities available to ensure safety and justice for LGBT immigrants.”