New York, NY-- March 22, 2007 The U.S. House of Representatives today introduced the STRIVE Act, a bill designed to overhaul the U.S. immigration system. The bill, introduced by U.S. Representatives Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Jeff Flake (R-AZ) is a step toward reform, but does not address the needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and HIV-positive immigrants.

“This bill falls short of providing equal justice for all immigrants,” states Rachel B. Tiven, Executive Director of Immigration Equality. “Basic protections for gay and HIV-positive immigrants continue to be denied.” Currently, a U.S. citizen or permanent resident cannot sponsor their same-sex partner for immigration benefits. Additionally, HIV-positive individuals are barred from entering the United States and can obtain a green card only in limited circumstances.

U.S. immigration policy is based on the principle of family unification, and two-thirds of all green cards are provided on this basis. The STRIVE bill ensures that many immigrant families will be able to remain together and not be torn apart by inhumane immigration laws, the bill however, fails LGBT families.

Representative Gutierrez cosponsored the Uniting American Families Act, Immigration Equality’s family fairness legislation, in the last session of Congress. Immigration Equality held private meetings with Representative Flake in the lead-up to the STRIVE Act’s introduction to urge that fairness for LGBT immigrants be added to the bill. Despite these efforts, LGBT families continue to be shut out of immigration reform, and targeted as part of efforts to clamp down on immigrants in the U.S.

Immigration Equality addresses the widespread discriminatory impact of U.S. immigration laws on the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and HIV- positive immigrants, their families and loved ones.