In the landmark case Obergefell v. Hodges, the Supreme Court held that the Constitution guarantees gay and lesbian couples the fundamental right to marry throughout the United States. This protection of marriage equality is especially important to same-sex binational couples who live in the 13 states that until today banned gay and lesbian marriages– Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Tennessee and Texas.
The federal Immigration Services has recognized gay marriages and issued marriage-based green cards since 2013. However, only gay and lesbian binational couples had to jump legal hurdles to marry in one of the states that permitted gay marriages. Now binational couples of these 13 states can marry in their home state and apply for a green card. Removing this barrier is significant because compared to all same-sex couples in the United States, those in these 13 states are more likely to earn less and be racial or ethnic minorities while also being more likely to have children.
Today, more than ever, we are resolved to bring immigration equality and justice for all the deserving immigrants in our country.