Friday, August 3, 2012
Via JMG: Homeland Security To Consider Marriage Status Before Deporting Foreign Gays
After pressure earlier this week from Rep. Nancy Pelosi and a coalition of more than 80 Democrats, Homeland Security says it will consider the partner status of gay potential deportees. Chris Geidner reports at Buzzfeed:
The department has issued a new policy governing the issuances of "Notice to Appear" documents, which is the step that starts removal proceedings, which can lead to deportation. The new policy will put the policies of U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services — which considers green card applications — in alignment with Immigrations and Customs Enforcement policies for "low priority" enforcement cases, according to the department — which means that USCIS won't likely issue the notices unless other negative factors, like a criminal record, are found. A spokesman did not respond to an immediate request for a copy of the policy.Well-known LGBT immigration advocate Lavi Soloway is thrilled. Via press release:
After a two-year campaign urging the Obama administration to stop the deportations of spouses of gay and lesbian Americans, we welcome the announcement by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that it will formally recognize same-sex marriages as part of its year-old ‘prosecutorial discretion’ deportation policy. By articulating the first federal policy to recognize marriages of gay and lesbian couples, the administration signals to deportations officers, Immigration Judges, and Immigration & Customs Enforcement prosecutors that our marriages must be considered when determining whether a case is deemed low priority for deportation.Until DOMA is repealed Homeland Security will continue to deny green cards to the spouses of LGBT Americans.
Via Gay Poltics Report: U.S. can’t treat married same-sex couples differently, judge rules
- U.S. can’t treat married same-sex couples differently, judge rules
- A
key provision of the Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional, a
federal district court judge in Connecticut ruled this week. Judge
Vanessa L. Bryant said DOMA's definition of marriage, which bars
numerous federal benefits for married same-sex couples, is impermissible
under
the Constitution's Fifth Amendment right to equal protection. Her ruling
is expected to be appealed, though a number of other federal district
and appellate courts have reached a similar conclusion. The Boston Globe/The Associated Press (tiered subscription model)
(7/31), BuzzFeed
(7/31)
Via Gay Politics Report: U.S. to consider same-sex marriages in deportation cases
- U.S. to consider same-sex marriages in deportation cases
- The
Department of Homeland Security this week said it will take into
account the marriages of binational same-sex couples when deciding
whether to pursue deportation of a foreign national. The announcement
was sought by House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and more than 80
other members of Congress who urged the Obama administration to stop
deporting the gay and lesbian spouses of U.S. citizens while the courts
grapple with the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act. BuzzFeed
(8/2)
Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:
Tricycle Daily Dharma August 3, 2012
Everyday Bodhisattva
The
bodhisattva aspiration is an everyday matter—everyday both in the sense
of needing to be renewed as each day passes, and in the sense of
applying to simple tasks, to ordinary actions motivated by a longing to
reduce the difficulty and increase the happiness of those with whom we
share our lives.
|
- Manjusura, "An Everyday Aspiration"
Read the entire article in the Tricycle Wisdom Collection through August 5th, 2012
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