Immigration Equality

[UofMfan]

Originally Posted by HowSoonIsNow

MAJOR BREAKING NEWS: Atty General Eric Holder Makes “Extraordinary” Move Towards Ending Deportation of LGBT Spouses

This is HUGE! Thanks for sharing HSN.

[Julie]

Originally Posted by UofMfan

This is HUGE! Thanks for sharing HSN.

I am really confused. What does this ACTUALLY mean?

[UofMfan]

Originally Posted by Julie

I am really confused. What does this ACTUALLY mean?

Well to me, #1 that the President has discretion and can use it to stop deportations, if they wanted to, and #2 that they are standing behind their initial announcement regarding DOMA and not defending it, even in immigration court.

To me it means that the Obama administration is at least trying to protect Gay and Lesbian bi-national couples and that is a huge step in the right direction. Right now it affects mainly those who are facing deportation but it is a huge sign on behalf of the administration that may affect other bi-national couples who are not necessarily facing deportation or even married, yet.

[Sparkle]

Originally Posted by Julie

I am really confused. What does this ACTUALLY mean?

It is breaking news because The Attorney General has intervened in a specific case and urged the immigration authority to reconsider its deportation decision.

For a legal figure, so high in stature, to intervene and take a very public stand - it is a sign of a major shift in thinking on this issue, from the highest echelon of the government.

This could be a sign that legal change will come on the immigration front regardless of the outcome of DOMA battle.
The Attorney General cites their civil union as just grounds to stay the deportation, civil unions do not have legal parity with marriage; which means that the Attorney General's is urging the Immigration Authority to expand it's definition of family. Which could also be indicative that there is some sense of inevitability to repealing DOMA *or* it could indicate that the administration is willing to tackle LGBT rights one piece at a time. And it is a strong indicator that legal change as regards same-sex immigration could happen before DOMA is repealed or more states in the US offer same-sex marriage.

And of course, it means one couple (maybe even a whole lot of couples) could be given another reprieve from the deportation chopping block, in the interim while this potentially huge political shift become legitimized.

[Julie]

So does this mean that Henry and Josh will be okay? That the deportation will be stopped?

This could be amazing.

[UofMfan]

Originally Posted by Julie

So does this mean that Henry and Josh will be okay? That the deportation will be stopped?

This could be amazing.

No one knows for sure at this time, but to me it looks like it will be stopped.

[Julie]

God... I hope so!

[UofMfan]

Originally Posted by Julie

God... I hope so!

Bingo!

http://stopthedeportations.blogspot.....html?spref=fb

[AtLast]

Originally Posted by UofMfan

No one knows for sure at this time, but to me it looks like it will be stopped.

Yes, this sounding better and better for them. Plus, I am thinking that with these kinds of decisions going the way of marriage equality, there is a building of legal opinions mounting that might have positive effect on all of us eventually.

Every little bit, helps!

[Sparkle]

Victory for Monica & Cristina! Government Closes Deportation Case Against Married Lesbian Couple in New York

http://www.stopthedeportations.com/b...-new-york.html

/snip

This is the first time the government has asked an immigation court to close removal proceedings against the gay or lesbian spouse of an American citizen since the formation of an inter-agency prosecutorial discretion working group began its work on November 17 with the goal of finding and closing all “low-priority” deportation cases.

/snip

"We are thankful to Immigration & Customs Enforcement and to Immigration Judge Terry Bain for closing this case and stopping the deportation of Monica Alcota. Although the Department of Homeland Security has declined numerous requests in recent months for specific, LGBT-inclusive guidance on deportation cases, this action demonstrates that existing guidelines that weigh “family relationships” and “ties to the community” can be properly applied to protect married lesbian and gay binational couples. After a courageous battle, Monica and Cristina have arrived at the end of a long journey that began when Monica was pulled off a Greyhound bus in July 2009 and held in an ICE detention facility for three months while we fought for her release. That nightmare ends today. Monica and Cristina can now turn to the business of building a future together without living in constant fear of deportation."
- Lavi Soloway, Attorney, Founder of Stop the Deportations

This is good news.
Now to the business of making this the rule, not the exception.