Immigration Equality

[Sparkle]

http://bit.ly/gv2gvk


"This morning, Monica Alcota and Cristina Ojeda, became the first married, same-sex, binational couple to successfully argue that deportation proceedings should be adjourned until their marriage-based immigration case had been fully adjudicated. The Immigrations and Customs Enforcement attorney and the Immigration Judge agreed that the couple should be given an opportunity to fight for a green card on the basis of their marriage and generously adjourned proceedings accordingly."

[Julie]

Originally Posted by Sparkle

http://bit.ly/gv2gvk


"This morning, Monica Alcota and Cristina Ojeda, became the first married, same-sex, binational couple to successfully argue that deportation proceedings should be adjourned until their marriage-based immigration case had been fully adjudicated. The Immigrations and Customs Enforcement attorney and the Immigration Judge agreed that the couple should be given an opportunity to fight for a green card on the basis of their marriage and generously adjourned proceedings accordingly."

I have been watching their story!
This is AMAZING and wonderful news.
So happy for them.

[Soon]

Is this for real!?!?! I am still waiting for an official press release or some information on the Gov't website for Immigration.

http://www.democracynow.org/2011/3/3...me_sex_couples

U.S. to Accept Green Card Bids from Same-Sex Couples

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has announced it will no longer deny green card applications to married, bi-national, same-sex married couples. The decision means bi-national LGBT couples with recognized marriages will now be able to apply for citizenship while Congress decides whether to repeal or modify the Defense of Marriage Act.

[Soon]

U.S. immigration service will no longer accept green card applications from bi-national same sex couples

http://www.darkpolitricks.com/2011/0...e-sex-couples/

A victory scored by married bi-national same sex couples this week turned out to be only temporary.

After only one day, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) said it would no longer accept green card applications from gays and lesbians with spouses from abroad.

“The guidance we were awaiting… was received last night, so the hold is over, so we’re back to adjudicating cases as we always have,” Christopher Bentley, a USCIS spokesman, told Metro Weekly.

The Obama administration announced last month that it would no longer defend the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in court.



The administration said, however, that the law would continue to be enforced until Congress decided to repeal or modify it.

When asked if USCIS would also continue to deny green card applications to bi-national same sex couples, Bentley said, “Correct, based on the enforcement of DOMA.”

Steve Ralls, director of communications for Immigration Equality, told Raw Story that the USCIS decision was disappointing.

“Our government should be in the business of keeping families together, not tearing them apart,” he said. “The Department of Justice has said it believes DOMA is unconstitutional. Immigration Equality agrees, and we believe it is inappropriate to use that unconstitutional law to separate American citizens from their loved ones.”

“We reiterate our call for the Administration to respect our families and halt the denial of green card applications,” Ralls added. “At the very least, DHS should wait for the courts to settle DOMA‘s constitutionality before removing spouses who would immediately benefit if the law is struck down.”

Last week Immigration Judge Terry A. Bain gave hope to bi-national same sex couples when he halted deportation proceedings against Monica Alcota, a citizen of Argentina, while her wife, Cristina Ojeda, moves forward with a green card petition on her behalf.

[Soon]

http://immigrationequalityactionfund...ng_the_course/

[Peach]

We would consider moving back to the US, if they allowed me to immigrate, so I could work there. Until then, Canada is for us!

[Soon]