On Friday, June 26, 2015, in a landmark opinion, the Supreme Court officially ruled that same-sex couples can marry nationwide. When interviewed about the Supreme Court ruling in local press circuits, top immigration attorney Edward Shulman stated: “This is a monumental and historic decision. Not only is this a celebratory event for American gay couples but it also represents a significant civil rights victory for the immigration world since marriage affords U.S. citizens and permanent residents the right to sponsor their foreign spouse for immigration status.” Gay and lesbian citizens from any of the 50 states may now file petitions to obtain visas for their fiancés living overseas, and foreign individuals already in the United States may adjust their status to obtain permanent residency based on their marriage to a United States citizen or permanent resident.
The Shulman Law Group, LLC has been passionately assisting the LGBT community nationwide and worldwide for the past 20 years. In fact, although the office is located in the State of New Jersey, many of our LGBT clients have come to us from all over the world due to our significant national footprint and track record of advocating for the unique issues facing the LGBT community. Now with the new Supreme Court ruling, we can finally help any and all gay couples nationwide to achieve an immigration benefit from their marriage to a citizen or permanent resident.
Although the most recent news relates to marital issues and immigration based upon a committed relationship, it is important to note that there are other ways in which a gay or lesbian individual can legally stay in the United States. For example, if you or your partner has a well-founded fear of persecution in your home country based upon your sexual orientation, you may be eligible for political asylum since homosexuals, bisexuals and transgendered individuals are often subject to extreme persecution in many countries across the globe.