Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Feds Cancel Deportation Of Immigrant In Same-Sex Marriage
By
Chris O'Shea
Published Jun 30, 2011
Modified Jun 30, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Chris O'Shea
Published Jun 30, 2011
Modified Jun 30, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
In a move that will no doubt have a far-reaching impact, federal officials have decided to cancel the deportation of Henry Velandia, a 27-year-old immigrant from Venezuela, who is married to another man, 30-year-old Josh Vandiver.
Velandia had immigrated to New Jersey in 2002, and last year legally married Vandiver in Connecticut. However, Velandia was denied citizenship as Vandiver's spouse because of the Defense of Marriage Act, a federal law that says only heterosexual marriages are recognized.
Somehow Velandia and Vandiver lucked out though. An open-minded judge in Newark, New Jersey, postponed ruling until the courts decided if a gay immigrant could be a citizen through marriage.
Turns out the feds have a soft spot for affection, as an official called the couple to inform them that the deportation had been called off. The federal officer explained that deporting Velandia "is not an enforcement priority at this time."
Velandia was beyond excited at the announcement. "I can start breathing now after so many months of fighting. I was holding my breath for fear of any moment being sent away," he said.
The couple, immigration lawyers and gay rights advocates are hopeful that the decision will allow other immigrants in same-sex marriages to become citizens and avoid deportation as well.
To quote the great Huey Lewis, "That's the power of love."
Tagged
federal government
immigration
laws
marriage equality
Chris O'Shea
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Coney Island's small, 1890s lighthouse may be landmarked by the city
It's in the private community of Sea Gate. Family members of the lighthouse's last civilian keeper are keeping its history alive.
By
Catalina Gonella
Published Oct 20, 2026 at 4:41 p.m. ET
New renderings are out for Queens' Metropolitan Park casino
The city's Public Design Commission taking a look at what's in store.
By
Willow Higgins
News
New renderings are out for Queens' Metropolitan Park casino
The city's Public Design Commission taking a look at what's in store.
By
Willow Higgins
Inside Luigi Mangione's legal strategy before his federal guilty plea
By
Samantha Max
NYC proposes crackdown down on AI customer service chatbots
By
Arya Sundaram
Early Addition: There's a new hot duck, this time in Queens
By
James Ramsay
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .