Gay Immigrants Deported, Even in Legal Marriages

[zabet]

Gay Immigrants Deported, Even in Legal Marriages
Defense of Marriage Act Breaks Up Gay Unions, Hurts Families, Forces Americans Abroad, Activists Say

By SUSAN DONALDSON JAMES Nov. 1, 2010

Joshua Vandiver, a Colorado native who is earning his Ph.D. in politics at Princeton University, said he is the studious type who has rarely embraced activism. But now, just months into his legal marriage to Venezuelan Henry Velandia, he is fighting to save his husband from being deported.

Had the couple been straight and not gay, Vandiver would have been allowed to apply for permanent residence status for Velandia, who could then later apply for citizenship.

But their dream to build a life together is been derailed by the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which defines marriage as between a man and a woman under all federal laws, including immigration.

"I am a scholar of ancient Greek political thought and the Renaissance and politics," said Vandiver, 29. "I never intended or wanted to be an activist. But I have to do what is necessary to save my marriage and to keep the one I love in this country. I think that is my right as an American citizen."

Continued here: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/MindMoodNews/gay-immigrants-deported-legal-marriage-doma/story?id=12006429

[YOY]

1. The Axyl Rose Law.

n.t.

[closeupready]

4. What do you mean? That makes no sense to me.

:sarcasm:

[YOY]

5. The "beautiful soul" that sang those words has gotten nearly everything that was coming to him.

n/t

[Barack_America]

2. So, if the federal government doesn't recognize a state's legal gay marriages...

...then does it recognize that state's legal straight marriages?

Does the federal government get to pick and choose which of a state's marriages it will accept?

[closeupready]

3. 'rarely embraced activism' - better late than never. Never settle for second class.

Heterosexuals certainly don't, do they?

[xchrom]

6. Recommend - this is pretty fuckin outrageous. Nt

[Solly Mack]

7. K&R

[Pab Sungenis]

8. And this is the kind of stuff

that Obama is appealing to keep in place.

[struggle4progress]

9. Marriage to a US citizen doesn't automatically prevent deportation; student

spouses are not necessarily the best sponsors for resident petitions; and US immigration law tends to be suspicious of recent marriages anyway

So, although DOMA may be one issue here, it's unlikely to be the only one

[FreeState]

10. K&R