June 7th, 2010
Posted in BOSTON, Massachusetts — A Brazilian man was reunited with his husband after U.S. Sen. John Kerry petitioned federal officials to let him back into the country under humanitarian grounds.
Genesio Oliveira, 31, was finally reunited with his husband of five years, Tim Coco, 49, in Massachusetts. “I’m delighted,” said Oliveira (nicknamed Junior). “I’ve been waiting for this to happen.”
The couple was split up three years ago after Oliveira was denied asylum and because the federal government does not recognize same-sex marriages, which would have otherwise allowed him to remain in the United States. Oliveira was deported back to his native country of Brazil.
In 2009, Sen. Kerry had petitioned Attorney General Eric Holder to grant Oliveira asylum on humanitarian grounds. Last March, Kerry also wrote to Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano for help, asking her to issue Oliveira “humanitarian parole” on the grounds that he could face persecution in Brazil.
Humanitarian parole is a tact that is sometimes used to allow someone who would otherwise not be permitted to enter the U.S. based on evidence of a compelling emergency.
Oliveira was approved to return home shortly after the petition was filed.
Coco was contacted by Kerry in May and informed of the good news. Oliveira would be allowed to remain in the U.S. for at least one year.
“Obviously we’ll work on a permanent solution, but for right now I just couldn’t be happier that the system worked and Tim and Junior are reunited,” said Kerry.
Oliveira will attempt to gain permanent residency once more under the same grounds.
The couple hopes that their case will inspire hope for other married gay couples who are facing similar problems with immigration.
While it can be difficult for any immigrant to remain in the United States, gay couples face even more challenges. It is wise to then solicit the help of an immigration lawyer to help with the process of filing for a visa. An immigrationlawyer knows the ins-and-outs of U.S. Immigration Law and will not rest until a solution is reached.
Tags: Asylum, Boston Massachusetts, Coco, Eric Holder, Federal Officials, Gay Couples, Humanitarian Grounds, Humanitarian Parole, Immigrant, Immigration Lawyer, Janet Napolitano, John Kerry, Permanent Residency, Permanent Solution, Persecution, Same Sex Marriages, Sen John Kerry, Sen Kerry, Senator John Kerry, Tact
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