Supreme Court Strikes Down Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA)
June 27th, 2013 by SRW Lawyers
The Supreme Court recently issued a decision striking down the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) as unconstitutional. This has a huge impact on immigration issues and should open the door for same sex couples to be treated equally under immigration law.
AILA President Laura Lichter immediately commented by saying “Same sex bi-national couples have fought long and hard for the right to keep their families together. It’s only fair that if a U.S. citizen or permanent resident is legally married-regardless of sexual orientation-that their lawful marriage be recognized by the federal government when it comes to immigration issues.”
The Secretary of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano also issued a statement to press confirming that DHS is “working with our federal partners, including the Department of Justice, [to] implement today’s decision so that all married couples will be treated equally and fairly in the administration of our immigration laws.”
It is anticipated that a U.S. citizen will now be eligible to sponsor a same sex spouse for a green card.
Please feel free to contact SRW with any questions about the Supreme Court’s decision striking down DOMA.
