US Spouse wants Divorce. LPR in a Dilemma!

[~Farasha~ 5]

I am the LPR wife. I met my soon-to-be-ex-husband in 2008. We dated for 2 years before I moved to the US on a K-1 visa in 2010. I adjusted my status in 2010. We had our only child together in 2012. We applied for ROC in 2013. I have been eligible for citizenship since 2013, because we were busy with other things and it never occurred to me in a million years that we would ever get divorced! We were quite the happy little family until a month ago. He is insisting on divorce and says that he is not happy and hasn't been. I am distraught over this! So are both of our families! He had already made it clear that there is no room for working things out and he refuses counseling... He even said he would sign our daughter's rights over to me...!

Here's my dilemma: I never had a plan B! I loved him so much (and still do), but I really think he has already started preparing for the divorce process... I have no family in the US and I am absolutely scared of the thought of raising my daughter on my own with no support system. I have less than 10K in savings on my own and my car and that's it! Raising my daughter where I grew up is not even an option. I do not think it is safe. She is American and I believe raising her here is far better option than raising her in country in so much political chaos and less opportunities than she could ever have here. How do I prepare myself for being a young single mom in the US on my own?

Also... Since I became an LPR in 2010, I am assuming I will be eligible for citizenship in 2015? I was out of the country for 2 month in 2011, and 5 weeks in 2013, and already have a long trip scheduled at the end of this month after learning that my mother was diagnosed with cancer (my husband dumped me just a week after I told him of the bad news and on the same day I booked my ticket!!!!). Will the long periods out of the US affect the process?



Legally speaking is there anything I should be careful about? He has already been through a divorce and custody battle before and he is nothing but a jerk to his ex. I am really worried about seeing the other side of him and I want to prepare for anything that could come up in a divorce/custody process... If anyone has been through that before, I would greatly appreciate any tips.

Thank you!

[Boiler 43,401]

My first thought is that Naturalisation is the least of your issues, but extended time away will delay things.

The rest is really something to be discussing with a Divorce lawyer, not an immigration issue.

[~Farasha~ 5]

What do you mean will delay things? Do I have to be in the US exactly 5 years to be able to apply?

And I realize how serious the matter is. I am meeting with a lawyer next week.

[Boiler 43,401]

There is a very good guide on USCIS, however your premise is wrong.

[~Farasha~ 5]

Would you provide a link, please?

[Boiler 43,401]

http://www.uscis.gov/us-citizenship/citizenship-through-naturalization/guide-naturalization

It does seem the least of your issues.

[~Farasha~ 5]

Stop being judgemental! This is an incredibly difficult time for me and both of our families! I already mentioned I have an appointment with a divorce lawyer next week. I mainly came here for immigration advice, and tips from people/women who were in the same boat. I want to make sure that my immigration status won't affect my daughter's future....

[Boiler 43,401]

Nice

You have a GC?

[flora01 37]

I am the LPR wife. I met my soon-to-be-ex-husband in 2008. We dated for 2 years before I moved to the US on a K-1 visa in 2010. I adjusted my status in 2010. We had our only child together in 2012. We applied for ROC in 2013. I have been eligible for citizenship since 2013, because we were busy with other things and it never occurred to me in a million years that we would ever get divorced! We were quite the happy little family until a month ago. He is insisting on divorce and says that he is not happy and hasn't been. I am distraught over this! So are both of our families! He had already made it clear that there is no room for working things out and he refuses counseling... He even said he would sign our daughter's rights over to me...!

Here's my dilemma: I never had a plan B! I loved him so much (and still do), but I really think he has already started preparing for the divorce process... I have no family in the US and I am absolutely scared of the thought of raising my daughter on my own with no support system. I have less than 10K in savings on my own and my car and that's it! Raising my daughter where I grew up is not even an option. I do not think it is safe. She is American and I believe raising her here is far better option than raising her in country in so much political chaos and less opportunities than she could ever have here. How do I prepare myself for being a young single mom in the US on my own?

Also... Since I became an LPR in 2010, I am assuming I will be eligible for citizenship in 2015? I was out of the country for 2 month in 2011, and 5 weeks in 2013, and already have a long trip scheduled at the end of this month after learning that my mother was diagnosed with cancer (my husband dumped me just a week after I told him of the bad news and on the same day I booked my ticket!!!!). Will the long periods out of the US affect the process?

Legally speaking is there anything I should be careful about? He has already been through a divorce and custody battle before and he is nothing but a jerk to his ex. I am really worried about seeing the other side of him and I want to prepare for anything that could come up in a divorce/custody process... If anyone has been through that before, I would greatly appreciate any tips.

Thank you!

Your divorce seems to be inevitable and you already removed your condition, can apply for citizenship after 5 years of LPR. What are you worried about?

I think you should be more worried about job and settling life over here if you have to take care of your daughter.

[~Farasha~ 5]

I do, but it is subject to expiration. I am in no way looking to apply for citizenship in the near future. I just want to know all my options and prepare.

If applying for naturalization was the main problem, it would have been the first question I asked. Being the best mother to my daughter and having a solid plan for our future is my main concern at this point. But, this is an immigration website and people ask immigration-related questions here, so that's why I posted my questions here. (I was once a long time member who helped many, but don't wish to post under my old screen name for privacy reasons)

Again, if you have nothing nice to say, keep your snarky comments to yourself. I don't wish what I am going through right now upon anyone. I have never been so heartbroken in my entire life.

Your divorce seems to be inevitable and you already removed your condition, can apply for citizenship after 5 years of LPR. What are you worried about?

I think you should be more worried about job and settling life over here if you have to take care of your daughter.

I was confused on whether it would be 5 years from the date I became an LPR or 5 years in total.

[~Farasha~ 5]

I would love to hear from women who did it on their own. Any guidance would be appreciated. I never imagined this scenario would happen. :-(

[flora01 37]

I do, but it is subject to expiration. I am in no way looking to apply for citizenship in the near future. I just want to know all my options and prepare.

If applying for naturalization was the main problem, it would have been the first question I asked. Being the best mother to my daughter and having a solid plan for our future is my main concern at this point. But, this is an immigration website and people ask immigration-related questions here, so that's why I posted my questions here. (I was once a long time member who helped many, but don't wish to post under my old screen name for privacy reasons)

Again, if you have nothing nice to say, keep your snarky comments to yourself. I don't wish what I am going through right now upon anyone. I have never been so heartbroken in my entire life.

I was confused on whether it would be 5 years from the date I became an LPR or 5 years in total.

I don't know whom you are addressing in first few sentences but would like to answer the question in last sentence.

5 years from the date when you got conditional green card. Look at permanent green card you have, LPR starts from date of 'residence since' on permanent green card, that is the date when you got conditional green card.

[raven52 233]

NeedHelp2014,

I feel for your situation, and the "smack in the mouth" by your to be ex-husband. I do not think you got any compassionate answers, that I saw.

And you just happen to get "Boiler" who is very adept at knowing immigration law, but his answers, are short, to the point, and he is very blunt, and I have seen little compassion in his posts.

I have exchanged "words" with him before, but never question 'HIS' knowledge! I have never seen a compassionate side to him.,.,.,..,NEVER doubt his knowlege.

[Boiler 43,401]

I get things wrong, hopefully I am corrected.

The focus on naturalization confused me, and others.

Otherwise it is a sadly normal divorce issue.

[Glyn and Kathy 288]

Sorry you're having to deal with this Focus on getting through the divorce if there is no chance of reconciliation....then deal with citizenship later. You would never HAVE to get citizenship, you can simply renew your green card every 10 years if that's what you chose to do.