Official Guidance from USCIS regarding Same-Sex Couples

[Vanitas 310]

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=2543215c310af310VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=2543215c310af310VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD

In short:

• As you're probably aware thanks to DOMA being struck down, you can now petition for immigration benefits if you're in a same-sex relationship.
• However, what's also interesting is that if you feel your petition (or know that your petition) was struck down for this reason, you can email USCIS-626@uscis.dhs.gov to have the decision looked at again. They say they'll do it automatically but don't rely on this alone.
• In general, as long as you were married in a state that has legalised same-sex marriage (for the purposes of an I-130) then that's fine by USCIS. There are exceptions though.
• And again, in general - throughout your entire process you will now be treated as if you were an opposite-sex couple including all the way up to removal of conditions and naturalization.