STOP THE DEPORTATIONS THE DOMA PROJECT: HISTORIC VICTORY: Immigration & Customs Enforcement Closes Deportation Proceedings Against Henry Velandia

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

HISTORIC VICTORY: Immigration & Customs Enforcement Closes Deportation Proceedings Against Henry Velandia

Josh and Henry have led the fight to stop the deportations of spouses of lesbian and gay American citizens

Read our press release here.

Link to this article here.

(Photo: Jonathan Ystad)

9 comments:

AnonymousJune 29, 2011 at 7:32 PM
YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!YEAH!!!!!!!!!! GREAT NEWS!!!! I wish you all the best!!! I love you for going public, fighting and WINNING!!! You can now stay together and live a real, happy life together!
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Maureen MowerJune 29, 2011 at 8:29 PM
Congratulations!! Hopefully this will be the landmark action in giving full equality to all same-sex couples, beginning first with the right to marry (nationwide), then with the repeal of DOMA, and finally with the right to sponsor your spouse (when necessary) for citizenship.

It's been a great month for equality and basic civil rights for the gay community. Although I'm straight, I celebrate with all of you. I have cousins and friends who are gay, and while I support the cause for them, I also support it because I believe it is the right thing, not just for the gay community, but for America as a whole.
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NGJune 29, 2011 at 9:03 PM
Congratulations Josh & Henry!
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Ryan ParkerJune 30, 2011 at 2:43 AM
what wonderful news! You've sort of been the "poster child" of the cause lately, and it's so appreciated. Rami and I are cheering you on from down under in Australia! Good on ya! and THANK YOU!
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Skip VogtJune 30, 2011 at 9:23 AM
Wonderful news for all my binational couple friends. And Ryan and Rami, hope to see you back in the States some time.
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MichaelJune 30, 2011 at 9:56 AM
This is amazing! I'm so happy for Josh and Henry, and congratulations to Lavi and Noemi; all of you have demonstrated so much courage, and your relentless efforts are so appreciated. This event certainly offers hope that some day soon my partner of 17 years and I could enjoy the same result.

Question: with the cancellation of Henry's deportation, could you explain what his residency status will now be?
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Brad MJune 30, 2011 at 5:31 PM
This is great news! Congratulations to Henry and Josh. Also thanks is due to Lavi and Noemi for their hard work on Henry's case and all others.

I have the same question as Michael. What would Henry's residency status be now?
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Mikey_360June 30, 2011 at 8:42 PM
That is awesome news!!

I have same question as Michael. What was the original visa Henry came in with and what is the status now? Was a green card issued?
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AnonymousJuly 2, 2011 at 4:27 PM
What does this mean for others facing deportation or forced into exile? Is this a policy change or is the Administration just cancelling deportations for cases that have become publicized?
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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.