NEWS FLASH

Customs Agrees To Defend Binational Same-Sex Couple From Deportation | Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has agreed to oppose the deportation of a spouse from a same-sex couple that has lived with the constant fear of being separated from his husband because the federal Defense of Marriage Act does not recognize their Massachusetts marriage. The couple, Michael Thomas and John Brandoli, credit Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) for speaking out on their behalf. Brandoli’s mother expressed relief that their family would no longer have to fear Thomas’ deportation, saying of ICE’s decision, “there is no greater gift that I could ask for.” ICE recently offered new policy language to guide its case-by-case review of deportation cases that is designed to help protect same-sex couples.