We have huge immigration news.

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UPDATE

Yesterday, the Obama Administration announced that it will allow LGBT couples to apply for green cards while courts consider the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act. This is a major step forward for our families, and the first domino to fall for LGBT Americans with foreign national spouses. With your help, Immigration Equality has been fighting for LGBT immigrant families since 1994. In that time we have counseled more than 10,000 families — and for them, today’s news is a sign that relief is finally on the way. Two weeks ago, we called on the Administration to halt the separation of our families ... and today, they did just that. In the coming days, we expect the government to issue final guidance on how this momentous decision will impact our families. We do know, however, that the directive to hold cases in abeyance is an enormously positive step forward. It is, indeed, an historic moment in our fight to end discrimination against our families. Our legal team has posted information, answering many of your questions, on our blog. You can find their guidance here. (Please keep in mind, however, that every case is unique, and couples with specific questions about how today’s news will impact you should contact our legal team for information specific to your situation.) For all of the families impacted by this news, Immigration Equality remains the sole lifeline offering free, expert legal counsel to couples. In the days ahead, our legal team will be called upon again and again to help families who need us. Our staff will be called on to offer an analysis of the news for media from around the world. And our policy team will be working to ensure our voices continue to be heard by the Administration as final guidance and directives are written. If you are as proud of today’s milestone as we are, and want to help with our response, please take a moment to make a gift in support of that work. We’ll put your contribution to immediate use as we stand with our families ... provide the legal analysis they depend on us for ... and work to ensure that we continue to make progress. Change is happening, and Immigration Equality will continue to be your voice in Washington as we fight to keep our families together. Thank you for fighting with us. For Immigration Equality, Rachel B. Tiven, Esq. Executive Director

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