They met at a birthday party in 1990, were instantly smitten, and, after years of transatlantic romancing, got married in California in 2008.

Today, they have four adopted children, ages 6 to 11, and a comfortable home in Harrisburg.

But a sword of Damocles hangs over the couple, only one of whom is an American citizen. The other is French, and vulnerable to deportation.

Under federal immigration law, married binational couples usually can fix this precarious situation with a family reunification petition, seeking a green card for the foreign-born spouse.

So on Wednesday, the two drove to Philadelphia. Their lawyer flew in from L.A. Together, they went to the regional office of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services at 16th and Callowhill Streets.

There, Mark Himes, 43, sought permanent residency for his spouse, 48-year-old Frenchman Frederic Deloizy.

All they want, the men say, are the same rights afforded heterosexual couples, and, if denied, they plan to appeal.

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