Halt to Deportation of Citizen's Same-Sex Partner Draws Fire

Fox News ^ | July 01, 2011 | Joshua Rhett Miller

[moonshinner_09]

The federal decision to stop deportation proceedings against a Venezuela-born New Jersey man who legally married his same-sex partner in the United States -- effectively recognizing gay marriage -- is an "abuse of executive authority" by the Obama administration, immigration experts told FoxNews.com.

Henry Velandia, a 27-year-old professional salsa dancer from Caracas now living in New Jersey, legally married U.S. citizen Josh Vandiver, 30, in Connecticut last year, but due to the Defense of Marriage Act -- a 1996 federal law that defines marriage as between a man and a woman -- Vandiver was not allowed to sponsor Velandia for a green card in the same way a heterosexual person could for his or her spouse. The Department of Homeland Security nevertheless decided to drop deportation efforts against him Wednesday.

Velandia told FoxNews.com that Wednesday's ruling was a "big, uplifting moment" and the product of a year's worth of hard work on behalf of the couple's attorney, Lavi Soloway. "I can now be with Josh, my husband, in this country without fear of being torn apart," he said on Friday. "It's like our first day building up our life together. But we know the fight is not over. We're going to keep fighting for marriage equality for all the couple who are in the same situation."

But Jessica Vaughan, director of policy studies at the Washington-based Center for Immigration Studies, said the decision is misguided prosecutorial discretion that could "destroy the credibility" of immigration law in the United States.

[moonshinner_09]

Good gosh,,,,my husband, yuke

[Joann37]

This story is just a “barfer” in so many ways!

[jurroppi1]

But Jessica Vaughan, director of policy studies at the Washington-based Center for Immigration Studies, said the decision is misguided prosecutorial discretion that could "destroy the credibility" of immigration law in the United States.

Sorry honey, that ship sailed long ago!

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks moonshinner_09.

effectively recognizing gay marriage

[He Rides A White Horse]

But Jessica Vaughan, director of policy studies at the Washington-based Center for Immigration Studies, said the decision is misguided prosecutorial discretion that could "destroy the credibility" of immigration law in the United States.

Yeah, for sure. Things are getting worse, folks.

[ColdOne]

I have nothing........many thoughts no words.

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

“a 27-year-old professional salsa stirrer from Caracas “

Fixed it!

[Hodar]

I believe the INTENT of the citizenship by marriage - was to prevent a family (ie. children and parents) from being broken up. As a gay couple is non-reproducing - this protection has no basis in ‘fact’ to apply to them.

[RicocheT]

Illegals have done sham marriages man-woman for years to scam the green card and deportation process. Now, they can do sham marriages man-man, woman-woman, sex-changed whatever-etc and maybe human-other species after this deal.

[Regulator]

Amazing. Wonder if Soetoro is related to this one too, like Auntie Zeituni?

[HiJinx]

Ping!