PIONEERS: Monica Alcota (left), with her wife, Cristina Ortega, is free to pursue a green card after the ruling. (
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Time for the second honeymoon!
A federal immigration judge has issued a landmark ruling that could pave the way for thousands of undocumented immigrants who are partners in same-sex marriages to avoid deportation.
Judge Terry A. Bain signed off on the decision by immigration authorities not to deport Monica Alcota, an Argentine woman who wanted to stay in the United States after marrying her Queens girlfriend.
“We are extremely happy. It’s been a whole three years. Finding out about Monica no longer being deported is amazing,” said a jubilant Cristina Ortega of Elmhurst, a social worker.
The two were married last year.
“We hugged each other and had a celebration. We drank a toast with some cider and called our friends,” Ortega said.
Alcota had faced possible deportation for overstaying a tourist visa, but now she’s free to stay and pursue a green card, which would allow her to work legally and pursue citizenship.
“We’re happy for us, and at the same time we’re happy that we can help other people, in our situation stay together,” Ortega said.
Alcota’s lawyer said it was the first time Immigration and Customs Enforcement dropped a case involving same-sex, married couples.