Posts Tagged ‘Monica Alcota’
Judge says gay woman in same-sex marriage won’t be deported
Cristina and Monica
An immigration judge has agreed to delay the deportation of a Queens woman until the legal status of the Defense of Marriage Act becomes clearer.
Monica Alcota faced return to Argentina even though she’s married to an American citizen, Cristina Ojeda – because the feds don’t give immigration benefits to gay couples.
President Obama announced last month that the White House won’t defend the 1996 law that bars recognition of same-sex marriages. That gave Ojeda and Alcota new hope that Alcota, who overstayed a tourist visa, might be approved to stay in the U.S.
Judge Terry Bain put a hold on her deportation order while the couple waits to see if the Defense of Marriage Act is overturned and their green card application goes through.
“She could have said no,” Ojeda said. “But instead she gave us time…”
“I was very pleased that both the judge and the government attorney treated the issue with seriousness and respect,” said their lawyer, Lavi Soloway. “I think it was a demonstration of respect for Monica and Cristina and their marriage. They were kind and generous about it.”
Phew. Most sensible folks await the end of DOMA and other crap laws designed to prevent civil rights.
Some folks have been waiting forever – you may have noticed. And everyone looks forward to the electoral campaigns of 2012 when it’s a toss-up whether the Republican Party offers conservative alternatives to President Obama and the Democratic Party – or they roll over and play dead for the KoolAid Party and 19th Century ideology.
Meanwhile, our best wishes to Monica and Cristina.
