http://blogs.sfweekly.com/thesnitch/2011/06/ice_memo_john_morton.phpThe DREAM Act kids seem to be getting a break, but what about gay couples?
Update, 5:30 p.m.: It seems gay couples are still out of luck. Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokeswoman Virginia Kice e-mailed to clarify what the new memo means when it talks about "spouses." That doesn't include gay ones: "Pursuant to the Attorney General's guidance, the Defense of Marriage Act remains in effect and the Executive Branch, including
, will continue to enforce it unless and until Congress repeals it or there a final judicial determination that it is unconstitutional," Kice wrote.
Original post:
A memo sent on Friday from the director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement appears to tell immigration officers to have a little heart when it comes to enforcing immigration law against DREAM Act-eligible students. Specifically, it says immigration officers deciding who to target for deportation should consider whether illegal aliens were brought into the United States as kids and whether they are now pursuing higher education.
The June 17 memo came from ICE Director John Morton, who provides a list of categories that ICE agents should use to help them exercise "discretion" when deciding who to prioritize for deportation. ICE is one of three federal agencies that can start deportation proceedings against illegal immigrants. However, Morton lists 19 factors that ICE officers should consider when deciding to do so, including whether the immigrants were brought here as children, whether they plan to pursue higher education, or if they have served in the military.
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