A legally married same-sex couple of mixed nationality just got the best news they've received since same-sex marriage was legalized in Connecticut.

Their names are Henry Velandia and Josh Vandiver and they were legally married in Connecticut, and then moved to New Jersey where same-sex marriage is not legal. Josh is a U.S. citizen but Henry's from Caracas, Venezuela. Henry was here on a visitor's visa that ran out after they were married. Thanks to the Defense of Marriage Act, Josh was not allowed to sponsor Henry for citizenship. For no other reason than an expired visa, the government began the deportation process.

Lavi Soloway, an attorney representing Henry and Josh and a number of other same-sex couples with similar problems, filed to stop the proceedings and was successful! The couple was notified that Henry would be allowed to stay in the United States.

“The administration clearly believes it is discriminatory and unconstitutional to have a law that denies recognition to lawful marriages of gay and lesbian citizens,” Soloway said. “By extension, it's unthinkable this administration would take the position that the spouse of a gay and lesbian American should be treated any differently than the spouse of a straight American citizen.”