New Law Gives Immigrant Widows of US Citizens Right to Stay In U.S.

Wall St. Journal:  “A bill passed by Congress Tuesday grants a victory to a small group of immigrants who risked being deported.  A provision attached to the $41.8 billion Homeland Security appropriations bill ends a controversial interpretation of federal law, known as the ‘widow penalty.’  The clause required a couple be married at least two years in order for the foreign spouse to qualify for legal residency in the U.S. . . . The provision passed Tuesday removes the two-year marriage requirement, permitting widows and widowers of U.S. citizens to apply for a green card for themselves and on behalf of their children born abroad.”

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