Headquarters: 1385 Mission Street, Suite 340, San Francisco, CA 94103 East Bay Address: 401 Grand Avenue,

Suite 400, Oakland, CA 94610

March 18, 2014

www.ourfamily.org Phone: 415-981-1960 Fax: 415-981-1962

Our Family Coalition Supports Extraordinary Family Reunification Efforts of Undocumented LGBTQ Youth and All Parents at USA/Mexican Border Crossing
Our Family Coalition (OFC) supports the youth and parents that are presenting themselves at the Otay Mesa border crossing in San Diego this week. They are DREAMers, mothers, fathers, and children looking for safety and a way to reunite their families. They took the courageous step of placing themselves into immigration custody and are asking for humanitarian parole and asylum. As a vibrant organization that works to advance equity for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) families with children, OFC is particularly concerned with the welfare of LGBTQ parents who are and will be in the custody of ICE. The individuals requesting asylum know this country as their home, and have contributed to the fabric of our society for many years. While there are many LGBTQ women and men, elders, and children participating in the action this week, below are three human beings who have consented to share their stories: - Yordy Cancino is currently in immigration detention in San Diego. Yordy has lived in and studied in California since he was a child, and was the GSA President at his high school in L.A. Though he graduated Salutatorian, his high school was unable to provide resources or inform him on how to pursue higher education. Feeling out of options, Yordy returned to Mexico. - Alex Aldana came to Pomona with his mother and younger sister on a visa when he was 16. Growing up, Alex experienced abuse from his father for being gay, but graduated high school despite changing schools five times. In 2011 his grandmother became very ill and in 2013 Alex risked traveling to Mexico to see her. - Hector Velarde is a 17-year-old DREAMer from Sacramento. In 2009, he was forced to flee to Mexico with his mother after she received a traffic ticket. Life has been horrifying for Hector in Mexico because of the violence he faces due to his sexual orientation. His mother, Maria, is attempting to return to the US with Hector and his siblings. These individuals above reflect the many young people who enrich our country socially, morally, and economically. As an organization that is committed to supporting LGBTQ equality, equity for all parents and children, and the dignity of all immigrants, we have a responsibility to provide a safe haven for them and for the many diverse families that are attempting to return home this week. We, OFC, call on President Obama to exercise discretion in order to allow Yordy, Alex, Hector, Maria, and parents who seek protection within our borders, to come home. In solidarity,

Renata Moreira
Renata Moreira Policy and Communications Director Our Family Coalition renata@ourfamily.org