Deportation threat lifted for lesbian couple in U.S.

JohnBecker, "SwissToni, that in a country with differing definitions of what constitutes a marriage and who may enter into one, there are always going to be problems like this"

Time for some 'Equality & Diversity' training then.

more narcissistic entitlement from the japanese. not only does this woman expect preferential treatment because she's japanese and a lesbian - she gets it! america really needs to stop treating japanese people as though they're special.

Must have been stressful for the couple being in love and married to be faced with this threat. Surely there are other priorities that the immigration authorities need to look at

discrimination is not justice, under any name. She should not be given special elitist treatment.

Seems to me even if they don't recognise same sex marriages the couple could demonstrate a long partnership.

Sorry about that last post - hit the wrong button.

You must keep in mind, SwissToni, that in a country with differing definitions of what constitutes a marriage and who may enter into one, there are always going to be problems like this. ShowMeTheMoney is right on about states' rights, but it would be kinda nice to have the whole country on the same page.

SwissToni: You've got a very good point, but I think the issue of 'common-law' is trickier when it comes to one partner being foreign -- or at least, foreign in origin. That's part of the problem, and part of why this is making waves. In any case, it's good that they both get to stay on for the time being.

Seems to me even if they don't recognise same sex marriages the couple could demonstrate a long partnership.

Doesn't the US immigration service recognise common law partnerships? Seems to me even if they don't recognise same sex marriages the couple could demonstrate a long partnership.

Smith, true, the decision was probably politically motivated. Wouldn't want to sink the sinking campaign. But it still is an issue of states' rights.

Sadly, they were only allowed to stay due to the fact that there is a big movement towards gay marriage at the moment, and deporting and separating them would have put HUGE negative spotlight on the state at a time when the nation is leaning towards gay marriage as being positive.

SMTM got it right. States' rights is where all issues not directly designated to federal jurisdiction as explicitly delineated in the Constitution must belong. If the marriage is recognized by the state, then that's it.

Wow! Binational love and maybe bi??

Its pretty stupid that the fed does not recognize a state's legal marriage. State's rights need to be brought back.

Don't try that in South Carolina

Wow ...I couldn't omagine this type of liberal posturing going on in Japan?

Immigration authorities got licked by the lesbian couple enabling them to stay together.