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This action might not be possible to undo. Are you sure you want to continue?
Who Will Benefit from Reading this Book?
This book is a short but clear roadmap that describes how the foreign spouse of an American citizen who resides legally in this country can obtain a green card. It applies only to a foreign spouse who has legal status. It is an extremely valuable resource for you if any of the following apply:
(a) You and your foreign spouse who resides in the U.S. are negotiating the immigration system without a lawyer. In that case, it is an indispensable aid that will short-cut your own research and give you valuable pointers to facilitate your journey to green card status.
(b) You and your foreign spouse who resides in the U.S. have retained an attorney. If so, this book will help you to become an informed consumer of legal services. And, it will save you money by reducing the time you spend asking your attorney questions at $400.00 or so an hour.
(c) You are contemplating a serious relationship with a foreign national who is legally resident in the U.S; or, you are just curious about the process. In that case, this book will give you a “heads up” so that you will be better prepared, if and when you consummate the relationship. It will also help you to understand what your married friends or acquaintances may be going through if they are trying to get a green card for their foreign spouse.
The book includes a complete description of the immigration procedure. It discusses all required U.S. Customs and Immigration forms and includes active links by which you can download these forms. It also
describes the sometimes formidable marriage interview that is required and includes sample questions.
Xiuying
Chapter 1- Should I Get a Lawyer?
Chapter 2-What is this thing called Immigration Law?
Chapter 3- Quickie overview of what immigration law governs.
Chapter 4-It’s not easy being Green—the green card.
Chapter 5-The many forms of love: Form I-130
Chapter 6-Shuffling Papers: Form G-325A and other attachments to Form I-130.
Chapter 7- Matters of the heart and money matters: Evidence of comingled finances
Chapter 8- Shuffle-Step: Application for permanent residence: Form I-485 & I-693
Chapter 9: More forms: Affidavit of support: Form I-864 and Tax Records
Chapter 10- Rocking the Marriage Interview
Chapter 11- Your spouse has a green card: Now what?
Appendix: List of Forms
(Or why you need to fill out and file all sorts of forms with the Feds)
The Romance
James is a young, single American entrepreneur who has created a thriving internet business. One evening, while he is out clubbing
at a local night spot, he meets a very attractive young woman. She introduces herself as Xiuying. James enjoys dancing and chatting with the graceful Xiuying, who has a charming accent. He makes sure to take her phone number before he leaves.
A few days later, he calls her up and asks her out on a date. Beautiful and friendly, during a candlelight dinner, Xiuying further enchants James by telling him that she is in graduate school and that her name means graceful flower
in Mandarin. Almost before they realize it, the two young people fall hopelessly and madly in love.
Six months later, James proposes marriage to Xiuying and she readily accepts. Both James and Xiuying are shy people, so they have a small, quiet ceremony before a local, ordained minister with only a few friends in attendance. Afterwards, James makes sure to file all required legal marriage documents with the appropriate offices to make certain that the marriage is official.
The Lawyer
James and Xiuying have been living together for almost six months as man and wife when James runs into a former college roommate, who is now a lawyer.
The lawyer chats with James and learns of his recent marriage. After congratulating James, he learns that James’ wife was not born in the United States. He casually asks James if Xiuying has applied for her green card yet.
Of course not, James replies,
Why not, the lawyer asks?
James laughs merrily, glad to be one up
on his lawyer friend. We were legally married under the laws of New York State, he explains. I filed all necessary official documents. Since I’m a native born American, that automatically makes my wife Xiuying a U.S. citizen.
The lawyer calmly advises James that things are not quite that simple. He then asks James if he knows if Xiuying entered this country legally. James replies that he thinks so
, but then admits that he actually doesn’t know.
Concerned, the lawyer informs James that, if Xiuying did not enter legally or if she overstayed a legal visit, she may eventually be deported and forced to leave the country. Worse, she may even be subject to a multi-year ban before she can re-enter.
The lawyer adds that, even if Xiuying entered legally, she must still file numerous required documents with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to legally change her status and obtain a green card.
This action might not be possible to undo. Are you sure you want to continue?