DOMA & Same Sex Marriage In US Immigration

firm-overview-grant-kaplan“Working with our federal partners, including the Department of Justice, we will implement today’s decision so that all married couples will be treated equally and fairly in the administration of our immigration laws.” –DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano, June 26, 2013.

What this means is that any U.S. citizen (and in some cases U.S. permanent residents)- including “gays” and “lesbians”, may petition for their spouses, fiancées and children as well as to apply as victims of abuse, in the same way that everyone else has been able to do before now. Those who are or have been in Removal Proceedings before the Immigration Court may now proceed back to court to apply for the necessary relief.

This is great news and we will be happy to discuss your options if this may apply to you.

Here is the link below:

http://www.dhs.gov/topic/implementation-supreme-court-ruling-defense-marriage-act

Immigration Reform is also slowly working its way through the system.

The Senate overwhelmingly passed the proposed bill and it now has to go through the House.

We continue to file petitions known as DACA for those under 31 years of age for Deferrals of Removal.

Please contact us for further information regarding these or any other queries you may have and we will be delighted to assist you.