Same-Sex Spouses Now Eligible for Green Card

Last Wednesday, June 26, 2013, the  U.S. Supreme Court decision striking down the Defense of Marriage Act DOMA) was a great victory for same-sex couples. With the end of DOMA, a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident can immediately  petition their same-sex spouse for permanent residence.
A couple needs only to be legally married in a U.S. state or a foreign country for immigration spouse rules to apply.

Long Awaited Immigration Reform Begun

The long journey to comprehensive immigration reform has begun, as you might expect for Washington, with a single memo. Eight senators, four from each party, released it on Monday, January 28, 2013: a statement of principles behind a deal to overhaul the system in one big bill. It calls for more border and workplace enforcement, more visas for needed workers and legalization — with a path to citizenship — for 11 million undocumented immigrants. A bill should be introduced in the Senate in the spring or summer.  Stay tuned.