Monthly Archives: October 2013
Same-Sex Couples Immigration Benefits Based on Marriage
Before June 26, 2013, the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) defined marriage as being between a man and a woman, preventing same-sex spouses from seeking immigration benefits based on marriage. However, on June 26, 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down DOMA as unconstitutional, based on the equal protection clause of the 5th… Read More »
What is a U-Visa?
Congress created the U nonimmigrant visa category through the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000. The purpose of the act was to strengthen the ability of law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute cases of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and other crimes, while also protecting the victims of such… Read More »