July 26, 2013

Las Vegas, NV - Congresswoman Dina Titus of Nevada’s First District released the following statement today in response to new guidelines issued by the Department of Homeland Security to begin reviewing immigration cases where U.S. citizens were denied green cards for their same-sex partner based on the Defense of Marriage Act. The new guidelines would apply to applications filed by and denied to same-sex couples after February 23, 2011, the date the Obama Administration announced that it would not defend the Defense of Marriage Act in court. The Act was struck down by the Supreme Court on June 26, 2013.

"For far too long, DOMA denied same-sex couples access to federal benefits, including the right of U.S. citizens to secure green cards for their foreign born spouses,” said Titus. “I’m pleased the Administration is taking action to align immigration guidelines with our nation’s laws and ensuring all Americans, gay and straight, have equal access to federal benefits.”