Homeland Security Confirms Same-Sex Binational Couples Can Get Green Cards

[William769]

Source: The Advocate

Confirming what LGBT immigration groups have been saying since Wednesday's historic Supreme Court ruling striking down a section of the so-called Defense of Marriage Act that prohibited the federal government from recognizing legal same-sex marriages, the department of Homeland Security today issued a statement affirming that married gay and lesbian couples will be treated like married straight couples for immigration purposes.

"After last week’s decision by the Supreme Court holding that Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is unconstitutional, President Obama directed federal departments to ensure the decision and its implication for federal benefits for same-sex legally married couples are implemented swiftly and smoothly," said Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano in a prepared statement today. "To that end, effective immediately, I have directed U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to review immigration visa petitions filed on behalf of a same-sex spouse in the same manner as those filed on behalf of an opposite-sex spouse."

Over the weekend, a gay couple in Florida became the first to receive approval for green card based on their legal marriage. Just two days after the Supreme Court ruled, Julian Marsh and Traian Popov of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., were pleasantly surprised by notification from USCIS officials that Popov's petition for permanent residency based on his bonafide marriage had been approved, reports The DOMA Project, which fights for immigration equality for LGBT binational couples.


Read more: http://www.advocate.com/politics/2013/07/01/homeland-security-confirms-same-sex-binational-couples-can-get-green-cards

---

Confirmation is always good!

[iandhr]

1. Can we end this ****

about how Obama is Bush light now?

[William769]

4. WTF?

Give it a fucking rest.

[iandhr]

6. You here how Obama is Bush light all the time on DU

[William769]

9. Again WTF?

What does that have to do here? Have you seen me call President Obama Bush lite? I don't appreciate people taking a smelly shit in a OP of mine that is totally unrelated. You can take your piss poor attitude & hit the road.

This is huge for the LGBT community or is that your reason for taking a shit here?

[iandhr]

10. I know this is huge victory for the LGBT community.

I am THRILLED about this victory. There is a gay couple at my synagogue in New York who recently got married post DOMA. They are both Americans, but they delayed their marriage because they would have to pay a lot of extra taxes before DOMA was shot down. I know we have a lot more work to do because in 37 states gay citizens are still not equal.

Many people on DU bash Obama. Say he is no different then Bush.

I wasn't talking about you.

I am hoping people might remember this here before doing that.

[closeupready]

2. Stuff like this makes me wish I could be young again, in a way.

But I'm just happy that for young gay people starting to live and see the world for the first time, that the discriminatory obstacles that stood in my way from being honest with myself and others, these obstacles are being torn down. K&R

[Divine Discontent]

3. totally agree. they're fortunate. but, regardless, what a great bit of change for the USA.

thing is... we can't let 'em take it all back with inserting their hyperconservos in every level of gvt.

[William769]

5. ...

P.S. This dog still ain't to old to hunt.

[closeupready]

11. haha, you scoundrel!

[graham4anything]

7. Thanks Janet Napolitano!! Cool. Janet Napolitano should be VP with Hillary Clinton in 2016.

[obama2terms]

8. Wonderful!!

And it's great to know we have a pro LGBT POTUS who is trying to make this process run as smooth as possible. They may be a lot of other issues I have with this president, but when it comes LGBT rights I have NO complaints.