The National Coalition for Immigrant Women’s Rights (NCIWR) applauds the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s decision to recognize same-sex partners as family members in deportation cases.

“This is a significant decision that will provide families with some relief as they deal with challenging immigration issues,” said Jessica González-Rojas, executive director of the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health (NLIRH), one of the two organizations that lead NCIWR. “Families are stronger when they are together and not facing separation, which ultimately benefits the communities they call home.”