Updated on October 24, 2013:
"We are pleased to announce that our very own Attorney Mark Harley was informed today by the USCIS office that he attended Pittsburgh's first lawful permanent residency interview based on DOMA. Congrats to the newly approved couple #YourImmigrationPartner"
"We are pleased to announce that our very own Attorney Mark Harley was informed today by the USCIS office that he attended Pittsburgh's first lawful permanent residency interview based on DOMA. Congrats to the newly approved couple #YourImmigrationPartner"
The 5-4 majority decision of the Supreme Court overturning the Defense of Marriage Act or DOMA looks to have major impact on immigration law, with many changes on the horizon. The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), enacted September 21, 1996 was a United States Federal Law that allowed states to refuse to recognize same-sex marriages performed under the laws of other states.
As of July 2013, there are thirteen states (California, Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington) that permit same-sex marriage. According to the last census, there are approximately 36,000 bi-national same-sex couples living in the United States.
The decision made by the Supreme Court does not guarantee a right to same-sex marriage, but it allows same-sex couples who live in the states that allow same-sex marriage to receive the same federal benefits as heterosexual couples.
As of July 2013, there are thirteen states (California, Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington) that permit same-sex marriage. According to the last census, there are approximately 36,000 bi-national same-sex couples living in the United States.
The decision made by the Supreme Court does not guarantee a right to same-sex marriage, but it allows same-sex couples who live in the states that allow same-sex marriage to receive the same federal benefits as heterosexual couples.
If a marriage is not recognized by the Federal Government, then it is nearly impossible to receive a Green Card based on marriage for same-sex couples. DOMA's Section 3 prevented a U.S. Citizen spouse from sponsoring the other same-sex spouse for a Green Card, keeping bi-national same-sex couples from legally living together in the United States. The Supreme Court has since ruled DOMA’s Section 3 to be unconstitutional, thus opening the right of Green Card sponsorship to same-sex couples so they can be together and potentially receive the same federal benefits as heterosexual couples.
Family entails being with the ones you love and now same sex-couples may be given an equal opportunity as heterosexual couples in regards to green card eligibility based on marriage and a shorter wait to apply for U.S Citizenship.
Disclaimer: Published on July 9, 2013 with latest available information. This is a blog article for general education and is not intended as legal advice. Please contact our attorneys for legal advice.
Family entails being with the ones you love and now same sex-couples may be given an equal opportunity as heterosexual couples in regards to green card eligibility based on marriage and a shorter wait to apply for U.S Citizenship.
Disclaimer: Published on July 9, 2013 with latest available information. This is a blog article for general education and is not intended as legal advice. Please contact our attorneys for legal advice.
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