I-130 and Green Card

[chrisdean678 0]

Hi,

My wife and I were married in the USA, I am a US born citizen, she's a mexican citizen, and we returned to Mexico for 3 months and then I returned to Alabama and filed the I-130 so she can come back to USA later, she stayed in Mexico. She has had a B1B2 tourist visa for many years. Should I have applied for the I-130 or should I have filed for the green card? What is the difference? Did I file the right thing? Also what is the next step after filing the I-130? She supposedly has to go to Cuidad Juarez and I don't know if she should go alone. How many days will she have to stay there in Juarez? What papers should she complete before she goes to Cuidad Juarez? How long should she expect to wait in Juarez for the I-130 approval?

I just don't understand why I was told to do the I-130 when everyone else seems to go straight for green card, and they don't have to wait so long or be seperated from their husband. We are seperated now, afraid and unsure of whether she can come to USA soon. I was told by USCIS on the phone that she can come to the USA on her tourist visa and fill out like 8 different forms and just stay here and switch from tourist to permanent resident.

I think people on these forums are overly cautious and I am starting to think it is best just to break the rules, that it makes things quicker. I have seen several people, illegals get green cards in a month, and the immigration policy now seems to be if your inside the country it is much easier to get all your paperwork done. What do you think, I'm looking for more of a philosophical answer as well as sort of a which paperwork serves for my purposes answer, my purpose is to get my wife to my country and have her be able to work. To put all of the paperwork and expensive lawyers behind me. And to get her citizenship.

thank you so much if you happen to be a lawyer or went through a similar experience and can help, thanks a million, i love her so much!

[li_09 40]

You have a lot more reading to do. You sound very confused. She gets her green card once the I-130 has been approved. Your I-130 petition goes to USCIS first, stays there for a very long time once approved it's sent to NVC. Stays there for a few months and then finally sent to her consulate in Mexico for the interview. Each step you will need to study the guides. They're very thorough and can answer any questions you will have. You can go with her to her interview if you wish.

As for the rest of your post, you're leaning towards visa fraud. Good luck getting help with that

Edited June 16, 2014 by li_09

[jshulter 0]

I understand what you going through,but if you are not sure what to do, talk to a lawyer. But in order to bring your wife legally to the States, you will need to file Form I-130. This form is the petition. In my case, my wife and I decided to get married here in the States and submit the paperwork while she is here. She came over with a visitor visa. I recently sent the paperwork (I-130, I-485, I-765) along with supporting documentation to the Chicago lockbox. I did this without a lawyer and so far my forms have been accepted. I am currently waiting on the official letter for fingerprint and photo. After this, we should be on our way for the interview. Good luck but inform yourself before doing anything; otherwise, you may cause a much longer/permanent separation with your spouse. If you need more information resources, check out NOLO.COM. It's a great source of information.

[AtariBaby 17]

You can't go wrong following the guides here and asking questions, or for hiring a lawyer with a great reputation, if you don't think you can do it yourself. Unless there are things you're not revealing here, IMO you would be a fool to try and scam the USCIS and risk fines, prosecution, and your loved one never being allowed to live here legally. It sounds like you have a straight path to doing this the right way.

I think you're also misinformed about how it would be so easy to make this happen illegally, but I wouldn't know. You'd have to google that elsewhere. Such folly.

Here, a great many awesome people help each other do this legally, and that has many benefits I don't even have time to go into.

Edited June 16, 2014 by AtariBaby

[NikLR 13,220]

If your wife is found to have intent to immigrate by the CBP she will be denied entry, doesn't matter if she has a visitor visa or not. At that point they'd cancel her visa. She can come and visit you but she may need to show proof of her ties to Mexico to satisfy the CBP that she will not be attempting to stay.

If she lies and is found out, that is misrepresentation and she will be deported and banned for life.

Since you've posted on here, I will warn you to read the TOS. What you've suggested is illegal and against the TOS.

Everything starts with the I-130. You are on the right path but you need to have some patience.

Please start by reading the guides and wikis. They are here to help you. Here is one to start with along with a flow chart so you'll understand the steps better:

http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/EZGuideSpouse

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B9bvTEwLyHz1aW0yTWRqa3lqYzA/edit

If you feel very overwhelmed then certainly find a GOOD lawyer to help you. One that has excellent referrals, and knows the process completely. They will not be cheap.

The path to citizenship is significantly longer than the path to permanent residence. It will take 3 years of both being married to you, the petitioner, and being an LPR (legal permanent resident) to apply for citizenship. At 5 years of being an LPR she doesn't need to send any relationship proof.

[Ryan H 3,796]

***Thread closed to additional discussion per the provision of the TOS noted below. If you have questions about the process itself, you can start a new thread.***

By way of example, and not as a limitation, you agree that when using the Service, you will not:

• Condone or instruct, either directly or indirectly, others on how to commit fraudulent or illegal immigration activities in any way, shape, manner or method.

Edited June 17, 2014 by Ryan H