Judge blocks marriage law, says requiring birth certificates violates foreign-born citizens' rights

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A year ago, a state law blocked a U.S. citizen born in a refugee camp from getting married in Louisiana. A court victory Wednesday means the man and his fiancee are free to make wedding plans.

Viet Anh Vo and his U.S.-born fiancee, Heather Pham, embraced and cried with their attorneys in a New Orleans courtroom after a federal judge blocked the law that prevented them from obtaining a marriage license.

The law, which took effect in January 2016, has prevented other immigrants in Louisiana from getting married for the same reason as Vo: He couldn't provide a birth certificate.

The law's sponsor said it was meant to deter foreigners from gaining visas and citizenship through sham marriages.

Read more: http://www.theadvocate.com/new_orleans/news/article_0d33a254-0f1c-11e7-86c1-3f83b16e2521.html