Married same-sex binational couples cases on hold

[sciencenerd 56]

http://www.metroweekly.com/poliglot/2011/03/us-citizenship-and-immigration.html

USCIS has issued guidance to put applications for a green card from same-sex couples legally married on hold while the future of the Defense of Marriage Act is determined. This is a huge change in policy and a big step towards applying immigration law equally to all legally married couples.

[sciencenerd 56]

http://www.metroweekly.com/poliglot/2011/03/us-citizenship-and-immigration.html

USCIS has issued guidance to put applications for a green card from same-sex couples legally married on hold while the future of the Defense of Marriage Act is determined. This is a huge change in policy and a big step towards applying immigration law equally to all legally married couples.

Here are some other articles:

http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2011/03/27/Breakthrough_on_Immigration_Rights/

http://www.washingtonblade.com/2011/03/28/deportations-on-hold-for-foreigners-in-same-sex-marriages/

http://immigrationequalityactionfund.org/press/pr/immigration_equality_hails_government_decision_allowing_lesbian_and_gay_couples_to_file_green_card_applications/

[Yeena 17]

It's not all good news, unfortunately.

http://www.metroweekly.com/poliglot/2011/03/dhs-official-bi-national-immig.html

The announcement on Monday, March 28, that the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services had issued guidance instructing its field offices to put on hold cases involving same-sex, married bi-national couples seeking a green card for the foreign spouse sent shockwaves throughout the immigration and LGBT communities. Further clarification from Department of Homeland Security officials, however, suggests a much more limited, nuanced decision that leaves the issue unresolved and couples' futures in doubt.

On Monday afternoon, USCIS spokesman Christopher Bentley told Metro Weekly, "USCIS has issued guidance to the field asking that related cases be held in abeyance while awaiting final guidance related to distinct legal issues."

Despite statements from leading organizations – most prominently, Immigration Equality – suggesting that the cases would be held in abeyance until DOMA's constitutionality is settled, a DHS official told Metro Weekly on Monday night that the abeyance could last for as little as a week.

Sometimes when I find myself getting upset at how frustrating this whole ordeal is, I remember that it could be much, much worse -- if I were gay, I wouldn't have the option of getting my partner here at all.

[Myopia 93]

And the other shoe dropped.

USCIS are back to denying same sex applications.

Same Sex Hold Ends.

I wonder if it buys Monica any time.

Monica

[Pegasusth 1]

well a friend of my married with ladyboy, they went to registration marry in canada and when the lady boy came to visit my friend she gets B1B2 as visitor