U.S. Government Orders Same Sex Spouse, Primary Care-Giver Deported

Carolyn Lochhead of the San Francisco Chronicle reports that, citing the Defense of Marriage Act, the Obama administration denied immigration benefits to a married gay couple from San Francisco and ordered the deportation of a man who is the primary caregiver to his AIDS-afflicted spouse. Bradford Wells, a U.S. citizen, and Anthony John Makk, a citizen of Australia, were married seven years ago in Massachusetts and have have lived together 19 years. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services denied Makk's application for permanent residency as a spouse of a U.S. citizen. Immigration Equality is working with the couple.

Makk, who was ordered to depart the United States by August 25, is the sole caregiver for Wells, who has severe health problems.

KJ