ROCKVILLE, Md. (WUSA) -- The Department of Homeland Security called off the deportation of Rodrigo Martinez. He will be released and will have to check in with DHS once a month. The couple considers it a small victory for civil unions.
"I was scared," said Martinez outside the Federal Building in Baltimore Wednesday. "We didn't have a plan B but I had faith God would do something."
Edwin Echegoyen and Rodrigo Martinez have been together for 8 years and recently sealed their commitment with a marriage ceremony in DC. But the couple was fighting to stay together. Martinez faced deportation back to his homeland of El Salvador Wednesday.
Martinez' tourist visa expired in 2004. Since then, the couple has been fighting for legal status. "They (immigration) would ask for more and more paperwork," said Martinez, "so I thought this was going the right way."
Then a final letter was recently sent to their home, addressed to Echegoyen. "This last letter was not only a letter on the case, but an order for me to turn in the person who I love most in the world."
The men maintained if they were a married straight couple, Echegoyen, a U.S. citizen, could sponsor his spouse for U.S. residency. The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) bans the federal government from recognizing same sex union for immigration.
Maryland Congressman Chris Van Hollen is trying to repeal DOMA and help this couple. A spokesperson from his office tells 9NEWS NOW, "The Congressman believes married gay couples or couples united through civil unions should not be discriminated against. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement should give this case - like every other case - its full and fair consideration."
"Our stomachs are in knots. We don't know what to expect tomorrow," Echegoyen said Monday, "but we have faith."
The couple was able to get an emergency stay. Attorney Lavi Soloway also requested the court re-open his client's asylum case. Martinez witnessed the vicious gang beating of a gay man in El Salvador and feels it is too dangerous to return.
Now, DHS will consider Echegoyen's application to sponsor his spouse. "We were praying for a miracle," said Echegoyen. "We just pray now that the federal government will soon recognize our marriage and give us the same rights and privileges as everyone else."
Written by Delia Gonçalves
9NEWS NOW & WUSA9.COM