Borders are important to nations, but love knows no borders. People of all ages, races, religions, and nations fall in love daily, and American citizens are no exception. But if you fall in love with someone who is not a US citizen, you may need the help of a Las Vegas immigration attorney.
If you marry someone who is not a US citizen, how does your wife acquire a green card and become a lawful permanent resident? How difficult is the process? What if your spouse is not approved for a green card?
If you keep reading, you’ll learn the answers to these questions in this brief discussion of marriages, green cards, and immigration. If you are a US citizen, getting a green card for your spouse shouldn’t be difficult, but it is. You are about to find out why.
What Does A Non-Citizen Spouse Need To Acquire A Green Card?
There are two different procedures for obtaining a Green Card for a non-citizen spouse and green card without an attorney. It will depend on whether or not your spouse is in the United States or another country. But anyway, you will have to prove that your marriage is “in good faith.” It just means that you will have to prove that your marriage is real and not a charade carried out to obtain a green card fraudulently.
Marriage fraud occurs when a US citizen marries a non-citizen so that they can get a green card and stay in the United States. If the couple does not intend to live as a married couple, getting married and applying for a green card constitutes a marriage. Fraud.
Marriage fraud is considered a serious crime and is dealt with severely. A conviction for marriage-related fraud can result in up to five years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.
How Can You Prove That You Have A “Real” Marriage?
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will need proof that you and your spouse have a bona fide marriage. You’ll need to submit bank statements and phone and utility bills, but that’s just the beginning. As most married couples have, you must prove that you and your spouse have an ongoing financial relationship.
What Kind Of Proof Do You Need?
Save all your text messages, emails, Facebook and Instagram messages, and anything that indicates the nature of your financial relationship, including but not limited to:
- plane tickets
- vehicle titles
- insurance policies and statements
- mortgages, contracts, or leases
Inquiries into spousal fraud can be thorough. In some cases, your social media accounts and posts will be scrutinized, and if USCIS authorities suspect marriage fraud, they may even interview a couple’s employers, neighbors, and relatives.
