Legally Entered and Obtained a Conditional Green Card, but Divorced
I am a 36 years old male, residing in NYC but i hold Connecticut DL. I lived there for 3 years and moved back to NYC
in 2004, originally i came to the US in NYC. Chronology:
1996/7 - I married a US Citizen, born in the US, real marriage, i came here in 97 legally, with I-94 and i had a green
card valid for 2 years, which 90 days before expiration i had to remove the condition. I never did that at the time due
to not knowing what to do and i still didnt speak english that good.
2001 - A month after 9-11 i separated with her for normal reasons as any divorced nonworking marriage, the year after
we divorced on papers. Right after separation i moved to CT and stayed there for 3 years. In January 2011 right after
9-11 in CT i changed my License to CT and there was no problems of status or anything, they just gave me another
one and i thought i am ok...and then i started learning little by little whats going on with me. In the same month of
that year i contacted INS by phone, they sent me only one letter at home which stated that i was a Legal Permanent
resident and the date which i entered the country, where and the Alien number. I still use that paper today for anything.
2011 in the summer i met my current GF, she is Bellarussian who obtained a green card on loto back in her country
over a year and a half ago. We are together, we live together, we have banking accounts together and we are getting
married now, not for papers but cuz we wanna get married, papers or not. I come from Macedonia, FRY.
I already know a lot of stuff about this and i know she cannot pettition for me now as a gree card holder unless there
is some loopholes or something i dont know. Also, i have a proof of my previous marriage that i stayed with her for 4
years, over a year and a half after i had to remove the condition, which means i can prove i wasnt married for papers
only, i also have Taxes we filed together even for 2011. I get Health Insurance, i changed my License in CT, i work,
i pay taxes every year, i have no criminal record or anything at all, not even parking ticket except some debt.
Now, being married to a US green card holder i know it wont adjust my status but if i am discovered and put on
deportation procedures, can that marriage somehow help me to prolong that process or wait untill she gets her
citizenship? I mean, would this marriage to help help me anyhow to just not be deported right away if i get discovered?
And what should i do in future, wait for her citizenship or apply now...e tc...whatever you can help.
My question is very simple...whats the deal with me? What do i do and what should i do now?
I personally dont know anything about my status, in the last 12 years i never touched anything to do with INS, i was affraid.
Thanks
Re: Legally Entered but Status Terminated - Can I Adjust My Status After Marriage
You need to consult an immigration attorney. You may be able to change your status. An immigration attorney is the best person to help you at this point.
Re: Legally Entered and Obtained a Conditional Green Card, but Divorced
If you entered into a bona fide marriage and divorced, the "good faith" waiver may allow you to adjust your status despite the divorce. Given the amount of time involved, it would make sense to consult and work with an immigration lawyer to determine if that remains possible or to explore other options.
Re: Legally Entered and Obtained a Conditional Green Card, but Divorced
Thank You Guys,
today i spoke with an Immigration Attorney, they basically say similar things, they say the reason
nobody says nothing to you is that you didnt remove your condition but also you didnt touch INS
for that whole time so basically you are not existent, you are not on deportation but you also carry
no status at all. They say stay low for now and try to apply with her Green Card, he said i can aplly
even with Green Card, i know the procedure is longer but he said it might help me be protected and
on the open while doing all the procedures while being scarred and in suspense...good thing is i entered
legally and my consequences are different then a person who entered illegally.
Thanks