DOMA, The Justice Department and Binational Couples
By Steve Ralls on 02/23/2011 @ 01:59 PM
Today's announcement by the Department of Justice, regarding the Obama administration's decision not to defend Section 3 of the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in court, is currently being reviewed by Immigration Equality's legal team.
We know that many of you have questions about the impact of today's announcement on binational families, and our attorneys are working to get the answers you need as quickly as possible.
Please stay tuned, here at the Immigration Equality blog, for more information as that becomes available.
UPDATE: Our allies at Gay & Lesbian Advocates and Defenders (GLAD) - who are among the most renowned legal minds on DOMA issues - released a statement earlier today noting that, "At this time, it is unclear what effect these developments will have" on DOMA lawsuits, but that, "The administration will continue to enforce DOMA, and it will remain in effect until the law is either repealed by Congress or finally declared unconstitutional in court."
Because of that uncertainty about the ultimate impact of today's announcement, it would be premature to draw any concrete conclusions about what the future holds, regarding DOMA challenges, for binational families as well. It is important, however, that couples be aware that DOMA will continue to be implemented until a final conclusion is reached via Congress or the courts.
In the interim, Immigration Equality's legal team will continue to confer with legal experts . . . our network of attorneys . . . and our in-house legal staff . . . to determine what legal "next steps" may be appropriate for our families.
In the meantime, couples with specific questions may contact our legal team via our web form, online here.
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