The Issue:
The United States' Immigration policy is one of double importance to the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. A broader immigration policy on the part of the United States would provide the labor that many small businesses are in need of in order to operate in the black. Many immigrants do manual labor work (such as field work on family owned farms) that most Americans won't themselves do. Without this work, business owners, such as small sized family-owned farms would fold. The second edge of importance in new immigration policies is that as immigration policies stand now, the Federal government recognizes a heterosexual alien as an American citizen if they have married a legal citizen. Many loving families are broken apart as one partner is sent back to their country of origin, simply because their relationship is not recognized by the Federal government.
With close scrutiny, these two seemingly disparate immigration issues are actually quite closely connected. With the implementation of more egalitarian immigration policies and laws, the United States will find itself with a largely untapped labor market, as well as with a more stable society as families are able to build more concrete family connections.
NGLCC and the Issue:
The National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce is pushing to equalize federal treatment of bi-national same-sex couples under the Uniting American Families Act. The NGLCC is working with partners in Congress, and other LGBT organizations to build support for this legislation.
Members of Congress should support the Uniting the American Families Act.
