Should VisaJourney also sponsor the petition to end the widow penalty?

[Randall Emery 0]

Several grassroots organizations and an on-line forum have joined together to promote a petition to end the widow penalty:

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/end_widows_penalty/

What is the widow penalty? Under current immigration law, the government is deporting the spouses and children of US citizens who die. Even citizens who give their lives on the field of battle are not exempt.

A conference committee between the US Senate and US House of Representatives will be meeting very shortly to decide if a fix to this problem will be included in the Department of Homeland Security appropriations bill.

Given that this is an issue could affect every VJ member in the process right now, do you think VisaJourney should join the other on-line forum in sponsoring this petition and promoting it prominently?

[TBoneTX 45,287]

In theory, the idea sounds good, but there could be repercussions... such as unwelcome (extra?) governmental & consular scrutiny of VJ and its posters, with the inevitable identification of and crackdown on "undesirable" freedom of speech here.

[rebeccajo 14]

In theory, the idea sounds good, but there could be repercussions... such as unwelcome (extra?) governmental & consular scrutiny of VJ and its posters, with the inevitable identification of and crackdown on "undesirable" freedom of speech here.

Fiddlesticks, TBone. That's just a little paranoid you know?

Randall represents an extremely legitimate organization that fights for the rights of family based immigrants on Capital Hill. I have signed the petition and would encourage all members of Vj to do the same.

Edited July 31, 2009 by rebeccajo

[almaty 19]

spot on sister becca..same here....

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

If this is so worthy why have 10 out of 25 respondents voted no?

I don't know much about this issue or the sponsoring organization but the vote count so far gives me pause.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

It is passes, the USC should make sure your spouse tastes your food first.

[Randall Emery 0]

If this is so worthy why have 10 out of 25 respondents voted no?

I don't know much about this issue or the sponsoring organization but the vote count so far gives me pause.

With regard to the cause, 60 minutes did a good story on it:

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=5088149n

With regard to the organizations involved, I just want to make it clear that I´m just asking what members think if VJ were to join as one of the several sponsoring organizations and try to promote this. For the record, American Families United is not the driving force behind this effort -- we´re just trying to support it as it comes to a vote. This is really the effort of a heroic immigration attorney (yes, there are some good ones) who has spent 5 years working on this.

The coalition of groups went with a generic petition site so that people could all work together to get signatures on one single petition in order to make more of an impact. I´m reaching out to as many groups as possible to try to achieve the biggest result. I´m asking the question if VJ should sponsor it because I think if VJ moderators publicized this, a lot more people would know about it, and everyone would want to give credit where credit is due by listing VJ as a sponsoring organization.

As far as any concern about a backlash, this is a non-controversial issue. But even if something is non-controversial, there is a need to ask our elected officials to do the right thing. We could have a million people with a problem, but if we don´t ask, and ask specifically, in a coordinated way, they won't hear the message.

Hope this information is helpful.

[almaty 19]

good poll and topic..good for you randall

[TBoneTX 45,287]

That's just a little paranoid you know?

Agreed, but everyone IS out to get me, si man!

[LaL 418]

If this is so worthy why have 10 out of 25 respondents voted no?

I don't know much about this issue or the sponsoring organization but the vote count so far gives me pause.

People vote no because if it does not affect them, they don't give a toot.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

I just don't think it is a good idea for VJ/Ewok to endorse anything. This is not a political activism website.

Is the cause worth it? Absolutely yes. But again, this is not VJ's purpose. Me thinks.

[LaL 418]

I just don't think it is a good idea for VJ/Ewok to endorse anything. This is not a political activism website.

Is the cause worth it? Absolutely yes. But again, this is not VJ's purpose. Me thinks.

It *was* once upon a time definitely involved in change when it comes to USCIS. Protest pictures in the gallery as an example.

[rebeccajo 14]

Why wouldn't we want to put our endorsement on an issue that positively affects this process?

[Chica Yeyé 41]

Hey, don't shoot me. It is not my site. I am sure if Ewok wanted to endorse any particular issue, he would have responded to this thread by now. Silence is also loud, yah know?

There is no "we", really. The site belongs to Ewok. As private citizens we can do as we please; but to assume a "we" is a bit OTT me thinks.

[bhajishah 4]

Go for it

Squeky wheel gets the grease, or disappears.

Its a sad situation, and people need to stick up for whats right, instead of looking out for themselves and being panty wastes