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On June 26, 2013 the United States Supreme Court in a 5-4 ruling, released its decision in the case of United States v. Windsor, holding that the Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional.  Writing for the majority, Justice Anthony Kennedy stated that DOMA is unconstitutional because it sets same-sex couples apart in a way that violates the due process and equal protection principles guaranteed under the Constitution.

DOMA, which defined marriage as a union between a man and a woman, had prohibited the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages for the purposes of any visa. Because of DOMA, tens of thousands of citizens in same-sex marriages had not been able to apply for green cards for their partners. [Read more…]

A year ago, President Obama announced the DACA program from the steps of the White House Rose Garden. Since that day, over half a million young immigrants have come forward under DACA to seek relief from deportation and to secure work authorization.  It is estimated that a total of 1.8 million young people are eligible for DACA. According to the most recent statistics, USCIS has received 539,128 applications since August 15, 2012. Of those, 365,237 have been approved. [Read more…]

If USCIS grants your Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) application and also issues you an employment authorization document (EAD), you are eligible to apply for a social security card.

In several states, lawmakers have passed or are pushing for policy changes so that undocumented immigrants can apply for driver’s licenses. While we’re waiting for reform at the federal level, state driver’s license efforts will allow immigrants to drive legally. In Oregon, the state Senate approved a bill that would grant short-term driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants. [Read more…]

On May 20, 2013, the United States Senate Judiciary Committee amended the definition of aggravated felony to include 3 convictions for drunk driving. Senator Charles Grassley (R-IA) proposed this amendment.

An aggravated felony is grounds for removal and/or loss of Legal Permanent Resident status. To be removable under this new aggravated felony ground, at least one of the convictions must have occurred after the date of the enactment of this legislation. [Read more…]