STOP THE DEPORTATIONS THE DOMA PROJECT: Gay Binational Couple in Princeton, New Jersey Creates "SAVE OUR MARRIAGE" Facebook Page

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Gay Binational Couple in Princeton, New Jersey Creates "SAVE OUR MARRIAGE" Facebook Page

Please visit Henry Velandia and Josh Vandiver's Facebook page here and join by clicking on "Like." But don't stop there. Scroll down to the bottom left corner of the Facebook page and using the "share" button, send the link to your friends to increase awareness of their case. In less than 24 hours over 700 people have already joined Henry and Josh's Facebook page where you can see photos and video of the couple and learn what actions you can take to support their campaign.

Tomorrow, at Princeton University, the couple will hold a roundtable discussion open to the campus community to bring their struggle to stay together to a broader audience.

Help us stop the deportation of Henry Velandia, a extraordinarily talented salsa dancer, who is married to his U.S. citizen husband.

UPDATE: Thursday October 21, 2010: In less than 48 hours since its launch more than 1,000 people have joined the Facebook page, "SAVE OUR MARRIAGE." Josh and Henry had a busy day today speaking out on the Princeton University campus to end discrimination against gay binational couples. More news to follow soon.

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WHAT ARE WE FIGHTING FOR?

STOP THE DEPORTATIONS is a campaign launched in October 2010 by a group of married binational couples working with attorneys Lavi Soloway and Noemi Masliah, who are founders of Immigration Equality and partners in the law firm, Masliah & Soloway. Our purpose is to raise awareness of the cruel impact of the DEFENSE OF MARRIAGE ACT on married gay and lesbian binational couples and bring an end to that discrimination. Because the federal government denies recognition to legally married same-sex couples, they are deprived of the usual access to immigration laws that allow all other American citizens to petition for a green card for their foreign spouses.

In most cases, DOMA is the only obstacle preventing married binational couples from achieving resolution of the immigration issue. Because of DOMA, married binational couples are faced with the very real threat of being torn apart because of expiring visas or deportation orders. Many binational couples are exiled to third countries where their relationships are recognized under the law. Still others are kept apart, left to maintain a long-distance relationship on line, by phone calls and visits.

Every day in this country there are gay and lesbian Americans whose spouses face deportation proceedings. This must end. We cannot sit by while the government destroys the hopes and dreams of loving couples. Join our fight against DOMA and help bring an end discrimination against same-sex binational couples. For more information on how you can get involved email us here.

DOMA Project Participation

We invite potential DOMA project participants to contact us if they are same-sex binational couples who are married (or planning to marry) and who want to join our campaign to end discrimination in immigration law. With the exception of our DOMA Project participants, we do not encourage any married same-sex couple to file an I-130 Petition for Alien Relative as such a petition will be denied and the filing of the petition may have significant negative consequences on the foreign spouse's future eligibility for various non-immigrant visas, or precipitate removal proceedings if that person is in the United States without lawful status. Any binational couples considering marriage should consult THE DOMA PROJECT or other qualified attorney or appropriate gay rights organization to discuss the potential consequences for eligibility for non-immigrant visas and to address other immigration related concerns. To learn more about our DOMA Project, contact us here. Your story is a vital part of winning this struggle.

ADD YOUR STORY

We are actively looking for binational couples to join this campaign. Your testimonials, videos, photographs, etc. will help us put discrimination into terms that everyone can understand: its cruel impact on individual couples and families. Anyone interested in getting involved to help raise awareness of the impact of DOMA on binational couples should contact us here. All information received will be confidential. Couples who want to participate without revealing their full names or other identifying information are welcome. Binational couples who are currently in separate countries and binational couples living abroad are also welcome.