Judge tentatively rules immigration cases reopened

The Associated Press
6:37 p.m. April 21, 2009

LOS ANGELES — A federal judge in Los Angeles has tentatively ordered the Department of Homeland Security to reopen cases of 22 people who were denied green cards because their American spouses died during the application process.

U.S. District Judge Christina A. Snyder issued the preliminary ruling in the class-action lawsuit on Monday and is expected to make a final decision after a hearing Wednesday.

The judge cited a 2006 appeals court decision that said applicants don't lose their status as spouses of U.S. citizens if the spouse dies before the government rules on their permanent residency applications.

The plaintiffs' attorney, Brent Renison, says immigration officials "dragged their heels" on the applications. He says there are more than 200 people across the country affected by the widow penalty.
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Information from: Los Angeles Times, http://www.latimes.com

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