American Families United is a group of American citizens 1 2 who lobby Congress on behalf of their illegal immigrant relatives 3 to support “fair and equitable immigration” 4 and the American Families United Act (H.R.2920). 5 If enacted, this legislation could give legal status to 2 million illegal immigrants, including illegal immigrant parents of U.S. citizens who have been separated from their families or face deportation from the United States. 6 These waiver determinations would be based on case-by-case waivers from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). 7 8
American Families United has also asked Congress to stop deportation of illegal immigrant stepchildren of U.S. citizens and to expedite the immigration petitions of U.S. citizens’ spouses and children. 9
Kali Pliego is the president of American Families United. 10
History and Leadership
American Families United was founded in 2006. 11 Headquartered in Bensalem, Pennsylvania, American Families United operates strictly using volunteers. 12 13
Kali Pliego is the president of American Families United. 14 Pliego is also the founder and executive director of Se Luz Ministries. 15
Activities and Funding
American Families United is a lobbying group of American citizens 16 17 who lobby Congress on behalf of their illegal immigrant relatives, 18 primarily illegal immigrants who are also mothers of U.S. citizens. 19
The organization works for “fair and equitable immigration” 20 with a primary focus of lobbying lawmakers in support of the American Families United Act (H.R.2920). 21
The American Families United Act could give legal status to 2 million illegal immigrants, including illegal immigrant parents of U.S. citizens who have been separated from their families or face deportation from the U.S. 22 These determinations would be based on case-by-case waivers from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). 23 24
American Families United has hosted events with U.S. Reps. Veronica Escobar (D-TX) and Sylvia Garcia (D-TX) in support of the American Families United Act 25 and encourages its members to coordinate with their local churches, labor unions, and associations in support of this legislation. American Families United claims these relationships have led to endorsements of the American Families United Act from the International Brotherhood of Teamsters labor union, the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) labor union, and the immigration expansionist Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services.
The legislation also has the backing of the Association of Americans Resident Overseas, Mixed-Status Families United, 26 American Citizens Abroad, immigration expansionist American Business Immigration Coalition, and Democrats Abroad Hispanic Caucus. 27
In addition, American Families United has asked Congress to stop deportation of illegal immigrant stepchildren of U.S. citizens and expedite immigration petitions of U.S. citizens’ spouses and children. 28
Funding
American Families United relies on non-tax-deductible donations to support its software, communications services, outreach, and lobbyists in Washington, D.C. 29 30 In the 2020, 2019, and 2018 tax years, American Families United reported gross receipts of less than $50,000. 31 32
References
- Saslow, Eli. “The other side of deportation: an American struggles to prepare for life without husband.” Washington Post. May 24, 2014. Accessed March 1, 2022. https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/the-other-side-of-deportation-an-american-struggles-to-prepare-for-life-without-husband/2014/05/24/12de381e-e1ab-11e3-8dcc-d6b7fede081a_story.html.
- “Client Profile: American Families United.” Open Secrets. Accessed March 1, 2022. https://www.opensecrets.org/federal-lobbying/clients/summary?cycle=2014&id=D000046923.
- Du, Susan. “Mixed-status families keep hope alive amid narrowing window for immigration reform.” Minneapolis Star Tribune. Posted February 5, 2022. Accessed March 4, 2022. https://www.startribune.com/mixed-status-families-keep-hope-alive-amid-narrowing-window-for-immigration-reform/600143536/.
- “Home.” American Families United. Accessed March 6, 2022. https://www.americanfamiliesunited.org/.
- “H.R.2920 – American Families United Act.” Congress.gov. April 30, 2021. Accessed February 28, 2022. https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/2920?s=1&r=33.
- “Home.” American Families United. Accessed March 4, 2022. https://www.americanfamiliesunited.org/.
- Suro, Paola. “Roswell father fights to bring undocumented wife back to the U.S. through House Bill 2920.” 11 Alive. September 23, 2021. Accessed March 1, 2022. https://www.11alive.com/article/news/community/voices-for-equality/roswell-father-fights-to-bring-undocumented-wife-back-to-us/85-50c11ee1-bd07-4b85-a07c-31a971df7646.
- Associated Press. “House to consider limited GOP immigration bill.” USA Today. November 23, 2012. Accessed March 2, 2022. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2012/11/23/house-gop-immigration-bill/1722733/.
- “Home.” American Families United. Accessed March 4, 2022. https://www.americanfamiliesunited.org/
- “Board of Directors.” American Families United. Accessed February 28, 2022. https://www.americanfamiliesunited.org/.
- “Home.” American Families United. Accessed February 28, 2022. https://www.americanfamiliesunited.org/.
- “American Families United.” Internal Revenue Service. Accessed March 1, 2022. https://apps.irs.gov/app/eos/detailsPage?ein=205812309&name=AMERICAN%20FAMILIES%20UNITED&city=BENSALEM&state=PA&countryAbbr=US&dba=&type=EPOSTCARD,%20COPYOFRETURNS&orgTags=EPOSTCARD&orgTags=COPYOFRETURNS.
- “FAQ.” American Families United. Accessed February 28, 2022. https://www.americanfamiliesunited.org/faq.
- “Board of Directors.” American Families United. Accessed February 28, 2022. https://www.americanfamiliesunited.org/.
- “Kali Pliego.” LinkedIn. Accessed February 28, 2022. https://www.linkedin.com/in/kali-pliego-89951249/.
- Saslow, Eli. “The other side of deportation: an American struggles to prepare for life without husband.” Washington Post. May 24, 2014. Accessed March 1, 2022. https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/the-other-side-of-deportation-an-american-struggles-to-prepare-for-life-without-husband/2014/05/24/12de381e-e1ab-11e3-8dcc-d6b7fede081a_story.html.
- “Client Profile: American Families United.” Open Secrets. Accessed March 1, 2022. https://www.opensecrets.org/federal-lobbying/clients/summary?cycle=2014&id=D000046923.
- Du, Susan. “Mixed-status families keep hope alive amid narrowing window for immigration reform.” Minneapolis Star Tribune. Posted February 5, 2022. Accessed March 4, 2022. https://www.startribune.com/mixed-status-families-keep-hope-alive-amid-narrowing-window-for-immigration-reform/600143536/.
- “Home.” American Families United. Accessed March 4, 2022. https://www.americanfamiliesunited.org/.
- “Home.” American Families United. Accessed March 6, 2022. https://www.americanfamiliesunited.org/.
- “H.R.2920 – American Families United Act.” Congress.gov. April 30, 2021. Accessed February 28, 2022. https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/2920?s=1&r=33.
- “Home.” American Families United. Accessed March 4, 2022. https://www.americanfamiliesunited.org/.
- Suro, Paola. “Roswell father fights to bring undocumented wife back to the U.S. through House Bill 2920.” 11 Alive. September 23, 2021. Accessed March 1, 2022. https://www.11alive.com/article/news/community/voices-for-equality/roswell-father-fights-to-bring-undocumented-wife-back-to-us/85-50c11ee1-bd07-4b85-a07c-31a971df7646.
- Associated Press. “House to consider limited GOP immigration bill.” USA Today. November 23, 2012. Accessed March 2, 2022. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2012/11/23/house-gop-immigration-bill/1722733/.
- Kim, William. “Veronica Escobar and Sylvia Garcia Push for American Families United Act. November 2, 2021. Accessed March 1, 2022. https://texassignal.com/veronica-escobar-and-syliva-garcia-push-for-american-families-united-act/.
- [1] “About.” Mixed-Families United. Accessed March 4, 2022. https://www.msfu.org/mixed-status-families-united.
- “Support the American Families United Act.” American Families United. Accessed March 4, 2022. https://www.americanfamiliesunited.org/support_american_families_united_act.
- “Home.” American Families United. Accessed March 4, 2022. https://www.americanfamiliesunited.org/.
- “Donate.” American Families United. Accessed February 28, 2022. https://www.americanfamiliesunited.org/donate.
- “Donate.” American Families United. Accessed February 28, 2022. https://www.americanfamiliesunited.org/donate.
- “American Families United.” Internal Revenue Service. Accessed March 6, 2022. https://apps.irs.gov/app/eos/detailsPage?ein=205812309&name=AMERICAN%20FAMILIES%20UNITED&city=BENSALEM&state=PA&countryAbbr=US&dba=&type=EPOSTCARD,%20COPYOFRETURNS&orgTags=EPOSTCARD&orgTags=COPYOFRETURNS.
- “American Families United.” Internal Revenue Service. Accessed March 1, 2022. https://apps.irs.gov/app/eos/detailsPage?ein=205812309&name=AMERICAN%20FAMILIES%20UNITED&city=BENSALEM&state=PA&countryAbbr=US&dba=&type=EPOSTCARD,%20COPYOFRETURNS&orgTags=EPOSTCARD&orgTags=COPYOFRETURNS.