Are civil unions recognized in immigration benefits?
Yes, civil unions are recognized in immigration benefits in California. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) generally recognizes civil unions as valid for immigration purposes in California, provided that the parties involved entered the union according to the laws of the state in which they reside. This recognition is based on their policy of honoring existing marriages and legally valid civil unions, regardless of the parties’ sex or gender. In California, couples in a registered domestic partnership or civil union are eligible for the same immigration benefits that married couples in the state are. This includes being able to sponsor a partner for immigration, receive immigration-related benefits, and access to other family-based immigration programs. In addition, immigration regulations also recognize marriages from other states and countries. Same-sex couples should be aware that different rules may apply in other states or countries when they seek immigration benefits. The Department of Homeland Security will not accept a same-sex domestic partnership or civil union from another state or country as valid for immigration purposes. For this reason, couples should confirm whether their civil union is legally recognized before applying for any immigration benefits.
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