WASHINGTON, D.C. (KCBS) -- A Pacifica mother of two testified on capitol hill Wednesday about how immigration officials took her away from her home in handcuffs for ignoring a deportation letter, which she said she had never seen before.
Shirley Tan (pictured right), a Philippines national who lives with her partner of 23 years, choked back tears as she described the experience to the Senate Judiciary Committee. Her testimony moved her 12-year-old son to tears.
Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), chair of the committee and lead sponsor of the Uniting American Families Act, attempted to console the child and offered him privacy in the backroom of the chambers.
KCBS' Rebecca Corral Reports
Tan is scheduled for deportation in 2011, a fate she would not face if she were married to a man. Her partner is a U.S. citizen, as are their two children.
Tan urged lawmakers to pass the Uniting American Families Act to enable her to stay with her family.
But Republican Senator Jeff Sessions said he could not support the bill, saying it would amount to a federal recognition of gay marriage.
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