Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) is leading a group of 12 Democratic U.S. senators who are calling on the Obama administration to allow legally married bi-national same-sex couples to remain together in the United States.

In a letter dated April 6, the senators urge the Justice Department and the Department of Homeland Security to take action to protect these couples until the courts determine the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act or Congress repeals the anti-gay statute.

Among other things, the senators ask the Department of Homeland Security to halt the denial of green cards for legally married same-sex couples so they aren't separated under current immigration law.