On October 5, 2012, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) issued additional criteria  for determining when individuals who are in committed, long-term, same-sex partnerships may avoid removal (i.e., deportation) from the United States.  According to the memorandum, the following factors are relevant (though not sufficient) in exercising favorable prosecutorial discretion:

  • The partners are each

DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano announced today that undocumented youth who were brought here as children and who meet certain criteria are now eligible for “deferred action,” a form of long-term relief from deportation that allows employment authorization and college attendance, but does not lead to a green card.  Known as DREAMers (after the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act, which Congress has failed to pass each time it has been introduced since 2001), these young people have become increasingly vocal and visible in public protests and in the media.

Continue Reading Obama Gives DREAMers Relief from Deportation