First Green Card Approval for Gay Man in Same Sex Marriage after Historic Supreme Court Ruling

The lawyer of a gay married couple revealed that one of the life partners, a doctorate student from Bulgaria, received the first green card approval within the context of same sex marriage. Bulgarian Traian Popov married American citizen Julian Marsh in New York City last year. Having a green card meant that he can apply for a permanent resident visa and other immigration benefits. The couple learned about the favorable decision on Friday, a mere two days after a historic Supreme Court ruling.

There has been no confirmation yet from the Department of Homeland Security whether or not this is indeed the first case of its kind to be approved.

Cause for celebration

Marsh works as a DJ and record producer. Marsh and Popov were in a restaurant to celebrate Marsh’s 55th birthday when they were informed of the good news by the Citizenship and Immigration Services. He told the press that they felt as if they won the lottery. The happy couple was very grateful that they can live in the country that they love and choose to stay in. They met in 2011 and were married in NYC in October 2012.

Popov is not allowed to travel to Bulgaria to visit family members for half a year while his green card is being processed.

Recent Supreme Court ruling

This landmark decision is viewed by many as proof that the visa policies of the United States is already adapted to the very recent breakthrough ruling on same-sex marriage by the US Supreme Court. A week ago, a ban on gay couples receiving similar benefits to heterosexual couples was lifted by the Supreme Court. The milestone ruling of the Supreme Court justices is that the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act “discriminated against” homosexuals.

Still “second-class citizens” in Florida

The couple is currently residing in Florida where same-same marriage is not recognized by law. Marsh said that the fact that their union is not recognized in the state where they live is “troubling,” and that this made them feel as if they were second-class citizens. “They don’t want you,” he said, referring to the treatment they receive in his home state.

He added that in the point of view of New York State and the federal government they are first-class citizens of the United States. But in Florida, this is not the case. “We won’t stand for that,” he reiterated. The married couple is active in the Doma Project along with LGBT activists which campaigns for the repeal of certain parts of the Doma or Defense of Marriage Act.

A triumph for the couple

Forty-one year old Popov currently holds a student visa. He has been living in the United States for 15 years and is working on his goal of a doctorate in the social sciences. With a student visa he would need to leave America upon graduation. In February of this year, March petitioned for Popov. Now, there is no worry for the couple to be separated once Popov’s education is completed.

Lavi Soloway, the lawyer of the triumphant couple said that he has been working with gay couples in the filing of petitions for the past three years. He has filed a total of 100 petitions.

Photo Credit: Green card issued by US Government