Homeland Security - married LGBT couples will be treated same as opposite-sex couples regarding immigration

The department of Homeland Security today issued a statement affirming that married gay and lesbian couples will be treated like married straight couples for immigration purposes:

"After last week’s decision by the Supreme Court holding that Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is unconstitutional, President Obama directed federal departments to ensure the decision and its implication for federal benefits for same-sex legally married couples are implemented swiftly and smoothly," said Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano in a prepared statement today. "To that end, effective immediately, I have directed U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to review immigration visa petitions filed on behalf of a same-sex spouse in the same manner as those filed on behalf of an opposite-sex spouse."

According to The DOMA Project, Julian Marsh and Traian Popov of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., were surprised when they received notification just two days after the repeal of DOMA from Citizenship and Immigration Services officials that Popov's petition for permanent residency based on his bona fide marriage had been approved.

Forward!

(source)