New group says immigration laws tear families apart

Elizabeth "Ibby" Biby, who I went to high school with here in Arlington, Virginia, writes:

Our non-profit, US Citizens for United Families, based in Houston, Texas,  is  a grass-roots group  formed to represent the Americans who have suffered from the  IRA immigration bars initiated in 1996.   The general public always assumes that   Americans with foreign-born spouses have the same rights as every American- the right to pursue happiness, especially from the person with whom we fall in love.   We assume that their spouses are granted "green cards" quickly and easily.   The sad truth is that the IRA Immigration Act of  1996 can separate Americans from their spouses by barring them from entering the US for 3, 5, or 10 years, or even for life.   Something as innocent as planning a wedding ceremony more than 30 days after a visa has expired can result in 3 years of exile from the US, and without a definite chance of return.   This has made the lives of so many unsuspecting Americans into a living hell.   An estimated half a million Americans have been forced to choose between their families, their countries, and their spouses.   If you know of anyone who  might like to join  us in the fight to get legislation passed that would remove these harsh bars that have torn so many families apart, please go to www.families-now.org  and join us in our efforts.