Same Sex Couples Denied Immigration Benefits By U.S.

[Derechos]

WASHINGTON -- After a brief reprieve, immigration authorities are once again denying applications for immigration benefits for same sex couples following a legal review.

Chris Bentley, a spokesman for the U.S. Citizenship and Services agency, said Wednesday that a review by lawyers from the Department of Homeland Security, it was concluded that a law prohibiting the government from recognizing same sex marriages must be followed, despite the Obama administration's decision to stop defending the constitutionality of the law in court.

The law, the Defense of Marriage Act, defines marriage as being between a man and a woman.

Earlier this week, USCIS announced that applications from foreigners married to a U.S. citizen of the same sex would be held in "abeyance" while the legal review proceeded. Bentley said Tuesday that the temporary hold on application decisions was not a change in policy.

In February, Attorney General Eric Holder announcement that the government would no longer defend the law, which gay rights activists have said is discriminatory.

Bob Deasy, of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, said the latest ruling is a "disappointment."

"The administration has the authority to put these cases on hold" while the fate of the marriage law is decided in court, he said.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/30/same-sex-couples-denied-i_n_842646.html?ir=World

[leveymg]

1. Posting this is kinda like crossing a picket line. Thought the writers were "on strike"?

They don't get paid, at all, while Arianna got $315 million.

Not a knock on the subject matter, just the source.

[William769]

2. Certain people in America have to keep some of us here as 2nd class citizens.

And not just on this issue. It's disgusting and the people that support them are just as disgusting.