Removal Proceedings Can Be Reopened In Same-Sex Marriage Cases

Immigrants with a removal order are now eligible for relief based on their same-sex marriage to a U.S. citizen. At the April 10, 2014 American Immigration Lawyer’s Association/Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) liaison meeting, ICE’s Office of the Principal Legal Advisor (OPLA) announced that it will agree to join Motions to Reopen where the respondent (the foreign national) entered into a lawful, bona fide, same-sex marriage after having been ordered removed and there is newly-available relief.

At their law firm, Freed Marcroft LLC, attorneys Meghan Freed and Kristen Marcroft practice estate planning, family, real estate, litigation, business and non-profit planning, and LGBT immigration law in the historic Linden building on Main Street in Hartford, Connecticut. The attorneys’ practice is welcoming to all Connecticut individuals, families, and small businesses, especially including same sex couples and members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities.

Meghan and Kristen also publish the Connecticut LGBT Law Project as a resource of legal news and commentary for the Connecticut lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and their friends, families, and allies.