Exercise of Prosecutorial Discretion with Respect to LGBT Individuals

7/31/12 AILA Doc. No. 12092850. Congress, LGBTQ, Prosecutorial Discretion, Removal & Relief

Exercising Prosecutorial Discretion with respect to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals

A Letter from Members of Congress on Prosecutorial Discretion for LGBT Individuals. A letter from fifty four members of Congress dated 07/31/12 requesting Secretary Napolitano issue a written field guidance or a memorandum to explicitly state the policy of the August 18, 2011 announcement which would direct DHS personnel to consider LGBT family ties as a positive factor for the exercise of prosecutorial discretion.

Napolitano Letter on Prosecutorial Discretion for LGBT Individuals. A letter from DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano dated 9/27/12 announcing that she directed ICE to disseminate guidance to the field clarifying that "family relationships" includes long-term, same-sex partners for the purposes of prosecutorial discretion. AILA Doc. No. 12092849.