So much information!!!

[AzRich 0]

Great site that I have been sifting through for quite awhile before registering to post.

I am a US citizen and my girlfriend is from Hermosillo, Mexico. She is currently in the US on a B1/B2 visa that she pretty much has had for quite a long time. We met a year and a half ago through church and things have progressed along great and marriage has become a standard topic of conversation.

So while reading through here, I have looked at the visa options and hope that some of you can answer a couple of questions and verify some observations.

1. I understand the risks involved with marrying on her B1/B2 and then filing for a AoS. Granted, with as much time as we have spent together and together with our respective families, an interview would be a piece of cake. The only concern would be the questioning. My girlfriend has heard horror stories of what the questions concern. Any validity to those stories of evasive intimate questions? Also, is this considered the "backhanded" way of doing this process? We met and fell in love, but the intent to immigrate was never there when she first got the visa since I didn't even know her yet. Neither of us would want to feel like we took this step if it was sullied by the idea we are cheating the system.

2. Of the other visa filing options, do they require she surrender her B1/B2 visa thus preventing her from entering the US? While there is the tourist (shopping/visiting me) of her B1/B2, she also does translation work with the Arizona Sonora Commission for her Mexican employer and also handles contract translation/negotiation for her father's agricultural importing business with his US partners.

3. Does UCIS take into account religion? Like I mentioned, we met through out church, our CATHOLIC church....haha! It seems that some of the things asked to verify a bonafide relationship are geared away from our faith. We will not live together until we are married among other more intimate stuff. Is there alternatives? For example, her brother is a Catholic priest in Cananea and I was invited and went to his ordination with pictures and what not to prove it.

4. Would there be any benefit to marrying in Mexico and then filing the appropriate visa back in the US?

Thanks for all the help. Looking for information and appreciate it greatly.

[Bobby+Umit 161]

1. Yes - if they suspect fraud - the questioning can become intense. They are allowed to "lie" to you to catch you in a lie. If you have nothing to hide, then you should be ok.

2. If you get married while in the US - she cannot leave till the AOS is done (or is granted AP), regardless of the b2 visa. If she leaves without the AP during the AOS - it is considered abandoned and you will have to start a different visa (CR-1).

With that said - how can she be doing "work" with the B-2 visa (translation services)? That appears sketchy to me.

3. Nope *however* (only if the religion requires you not to meet - but that is for the K-1 visa mostly)

4. CR-1 is "instant GC - which would allow her to work upon entry into the US (once you get it).

[justashooter 430]

makes no difference when she got the visa. every time she enters with it is a new beginning.

if she enters as a tourist with the intent to adjust status by marriage that is fraud.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

Bobby, she also got a B1.

Rich, if she didn't have intent to get married and stay, it's perfectly legal and ethical to apply for AOS. If you got nothing to hide, you got nothing to hide, even if they ask you about it.

[Bobby+Umit 161]

Bobby, she also got a B1.

Rich, if she didn't have intent to get married and stay, it's perfectly legal and ethical to apply for AOS. If you got nothing to hide, you got nothing to hide, even if they ask you about it.

Ah - brainlock

[AzRich 0]

Ah - brainlock

Haha, no problem.

Her translation work consists of her going to those meetings as directed by her Mexican employer, whether they are in Mexico or in the US, to provide translation services. She also recieves documents from the same company via email and has worked on them while visiting me. She isn't working for a US employer, ie, under the table. She is working for and getting paid by a Mexican company.

Thanks for the input. Going to be reading some more of th FAq and Guides.

[AzRich 0]

Haha, no problem.

Her translation work consists of her going to those meetings as directed by her Mexican employer, whether they are in Mexico or in the US, to provide translation services. She also recieves documents from the same company via email and has worked on them while visiting me. She isn't working for a US employer, ie, under the table. She is working for and getting paid by a Mexican company.

If married in Mexico, would the CR1 allow her to travel back and forth from Hermosillo to Mexico on her B1/B2 still? I mean you are already married and are now filing for a Petition for Alien Relative so you would not really have intent to immigrant with a B1/B2 but a intent to "visit"....lol.

Thanks for the input. Going to be reading some more of th FAq and Guides.

[AzRich 0]

Nevermind, I found the info on the USCIS website.

I am going to post up further questions in the Cr1 forums. Again thanks for the help.