Monthly Archives: June 2013

Defense of Marriage Act Struck Down: Same-Sex Couples Can Qualify for Immigration Benefits

The Supreme Court today struck down the federal law, Defense of Marriage Act or DOMA, passed in 1996 by former President Bill Clinton and Congress. DOMA barred the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriage despite the fact that state laws may have allowed same-sex marriage.  A majority of the court (5-4) determined that the Federal… Read more »

Update on Immigration Reform Bill: On to the Senate Floor

The Comprehensive Immigration Reform dubbed “CIR” has made its way out of the Senate committee system and now goes to the Senate floor this week for debate and vote by all members. A special procedure called cloture (to end debate) must be invoked and approved in order to eventually end debate on the floor and… Read more »