Obtaining a Green Card through Marriage
By Ali Golchin | Published on August 10, 2011 | 0 Comments
Obtaining a green card in the United States is a difficult process, and the speed and certainty of the process is influenced by many disparate elements. There are also a number of different channels through which one can receive a green card, but perhaps the simplest and most expedient method is when a foreigner marries an American citizen. However, even this path can have its complications. Therefore, it is recommended to use the services of a green card attorney in San Diego to help guide the process.
Ali Golchin is one such San Diego green card lawyer with the San Diego Immigration Law Offices, and he says that despite being easier than other processes, obtaining a green card through marriage can still have obstacles. Since the events of 9/11, immigration law and procedure have become more complex, he explains. Additionally, he says, the timing of getting a green card through a marriage with a US citizen depends on a number of variables, depending on immigration district and city, and the background of the immigrant.
Golchin says that in the simplest case, using the help of a San Diego green card lawyer, an immigrant could receive a green card in about four months from the date the application was filed. But this process is prolonged the moment anything goes wrong with the application. “There are some important details,” says Golchin. “For instance, the authorities will have to check out the applicant’s criminal record, security checks, etc; and if there are any problems it can take longer.”
According to Golchin, not only will the government check the criminal records of the applicant to ensure there are no felony charges – which would likely jeopardize an immigrant’s application – but they will also review their economic situation, as well. When reviewing their economic background, the government will check to ensure that the applicant isn’t living in penury, or in a position that will likely result with them becoming dependent on government benefits.
Additionally, any applicant showing a history of mental illness, drug abuse, or communicable diseases will also likely be denied a green card, despite marrying a US citizen.
Golchin also stresses that once an immigrant does marry a US citizen, they should not leave the country until the process is complete since there could be issues with re-entry, especially in cases where the immigrant was living in the country illegally. In such a case, the married couple might return only to find that the immigrant spouse has been banned from the country for anywhere from 3 to 10 years. However, Golchin says that this is just one example of why it’s so important for an immigrant to hire an experienced San Diego green card lawyer to help ensure that their happy marriage doesn’t end up ensnared in a tragic bureaucratic nightmare.
*Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. You should not rely on this article as a legal opinion on any specific facts or circumstances, and you should not act upon this information without seeking professional counsel. Publication of this article and your receipt of this article does not create an attorney-client relationship.