Florida Gay Married Couple First to Get Green Card Since DOMA Ruling
Bulgaria native Traian Popov's application to permanently reside in the U.S. with his American husband, Julian Marsh, was granted Friday as the Obama administration quickly adjusted policy after the Supreme Court struck down the Defense of Marriage Act last week.
U.S. immigration officials Friday approved the application for permanent residency of Traian Popov, a Bulgarian who had married American partner Julian Marsh in New York last year. Popov, who had relied on student visas to stay in the United States, and Marsh are the first same-sex married couple to have their green card application approved since the Supreme Court struck down the Defense of Marriage Act last week.
The change in immigration policy since Wednesday’s decision reflects the Obama administration’s support for the ruling, and a desire to quickly adapt national policy to the recognition of gay marriage.
— Posted by Christian Neumeister
AS CHAOS UNFOLDS, FIND SOLID GROUND…The Guardian:
A gay couple from Florida have become the first successful green card applicants for permanent US residency since the supreme court struck down a federal law against same-sex marriage.
Traian Popov, from Bulgaria, and American Julian Marsh learnt the decision from immigration officials on Friday as the government acted quickly to change its visa policies after last week’s legal decision….
Immigration officials have been keeping a list of same-sex couples whose green card petitions were denied in anticipation of the ruling. Those decisions will now be reversed without couples having to present new applications – if no other issues have arisen.
The couple’s case was not the first immigration case to be affected by the Doma ruling. Deportation proceedings against a gay Colombian man were halted by a New York immigration judge just hours after the supreme court decision.
In this time of unprecedented challenges, independent journalism is more vital than ever. At Truthdig, we expose what power wants hidden and give you the clarity to make sense of it all.
Your donation helps ensure that truth telling continues.
Film
Spain’s Cannes-winning Oscar entry “Sirāt” is a bass-fueled adventure wrapped in cosmic chaos.
Immigration
Although officials said they had intelligence about guns, drugs and explosives, they have not revealed evidence that they seized anything illicit.
Environment
Multiple recent studies suggest that severe Alzheimer’s pathology correlates to chronic exposure to PM2.5 and other particulates.
Health & Wellness
Dozens of food and beverage corporations and trade groups are pushing for a federal law that would override tough new state-level food safety laws in favor of a weaker federal standard.
TD Column
The media version of Donald Trump isn't the one leaving his DNA at the crime scene.
Editorial Cartoons
You need to be a supporter to comment.
There are currently no responses to this article.
Be the first to respond.