Threatened deportation

[deedo79 2]

Hi,

I moved here in 2006 on a K-1 Visa and got married. 8 years later I left my husband after an abusive marriage. Things were fine for the first 3 years but he turned and mentally tortured me for years until I found a way to leave. I've been gone for over a year now. I have a Green Card. He told me not to go for citizenship and I didn't. I wanted to.

We had a few years of happiness and he was my best friend. We had a dog and a cat and a lovely home together but no matter how hard I tried it didn't work out.

I'm currently in the process of filing for divorce because I want a clean slate. Now that I've left him his father has threatened to deport me saying the marriage was a sham. We spent over 12K on a wedding, paid for by my father. I supported my husband for years while he didn't work (he didn't want to) and found myself in a lot of debt, trying to keep up with his demands.

I'm wondering and concerned that his father will try to carry out the threat and if he could be successful. Can someone please let me know if this can happen?

Thanks for any advice.

[Hypnos 6,576]

Empty threats.

Apply for citizenship if you wish, if you qualify under the five year rule.

[Darnell 8,478]

you have a 2 year card or a 10 year card? if a 10 year card, you are absolutely safe.

if a 2 year card - is it expired? you are deportable if/when caught on an expired green card, but it's rare ICE will come to find you.

as to anyone threatening your immigration status in his family, they can spew all they want to, it's exceptionally difficult to get a fraud case instigated with a FDNS officer at the uscis local office, the level needed to prove up fraud is rather high and specific.

[deedo79 2]

I've a 10 year GC. The 2 year one expired a long time ago and I was sent a new one. I wanted to wait until my divorce was finalized as it's not cheap before I applied for citizenship. Plus they need a copy of the divorce otherwise doesn't he have to sign stuff to support my request? I feel stupid for not knowing this but I'm stressed out and should probably research it more.

[aaron2020 11,651]

Hi,

Your father-in-law is an idiot. An 8 years marriage is not a sham. He can't deport you. Tell the SOB to go ahead and try.

There is no way for your FIL and your spouse to do a damn thing about your green card. Empty threats from people who don't know anything about immigration.

You have a 10 years green card. You can keep it for life. It's not dependent upon your marriage. It no longer has anything to do with your husband or his family.

Divorce and move on. These idiots can't do anything to you on the immigration front.

Best of luck

[aaron2020 11,651]

I've a 10 year GC. The 2 year one expired a long time ago and I was sent a new one. I wanted to wait until my divorce was finalized as it's not cheap before I applied for citizenship. Plus they need a copy of the divorce otherwise doesn't he have to sign stuff to support my request? I feel stupid for not knowing this but I'm stressed out and should probably research it more.

Hi,

You would be applying for US citizenship under the 5 years of being an LPR rule. It has nothing to do with your marriage. You will not be applying under the 3 years rule based on marriage to a US citizen. You can naturalize without your husband. You don't need him to get US citizenship. You can apply under the 5 years rule while married, getting divorced, or after your divorce.

When you have some SOB threatening to deport you, it's okay that you haven't done any research. This is kinda of an emergency not of your making.

Best of luck

[Transborderwife 4,666]

Empty threats.

Smile, turn the other cheek, then send him an invitation to your oath swearing ceremony once you're going to become a citizen

[deedo79 2]

Thank you all so much. I have contacted my divorce lawyer and she said the same. It's amazing how someone can get into your head. I didn't think someone could be so full of malice. I gave my all.

I can't wait to move on and be done with them. I'm going to gather my paperwork together an apply for citizenship ASAP.

Thanks for reassuring me that I am entitled to stay here.

[Darnell 8,478]

I've a 10 year GC. The 2 year one expired a long time ago and I was sent a new one. I wanted to wait until my divorce was finalized as it's not cheap before I applied for citizenship. Plus they need a copy of the divorce otherwise doesn't he have to sign stuff to support my request? I feel stupid for not knowing this but I'm stressed out and should probably research it more.

cool - you've nothing to worry about in terms of any green card expiring.

so, study the harrassment laws in yer state... see if they apply to the father.

[Pitaya 2,576]

~Moved from Intro. Members to Effects of Major Family Changes in Immigration Benefits Forum~

~Similar topic are often discussed at this forum.

[Boiler 43,400]

Is his father head of ICE?

[tuckin14 58]

It is theoretically possible to cancel someone's status, but at this point the bar is extremely high. They would have to show that you actively engaged in fraud, like explicitly paying him for the immigration benefit, or that you were married to someone else at the time of your marriage and therefore the marriage was void.

Just apply for citizenship and move on.

this is a common topic on the board, jilted spouses threatening to revoke residency. Only USCIS can do that. Once you have your 10-year green card, you are pretty much untouchable as long as you stay out of legal trouble.

[jyaku 138]

Thank you all so much. I have contacted my divorce lawyer and she said the same. It's amazing how someone can get into your head. I didn't think someone could be so full of malice. I gave my all.

I can't wait to move on and be done with them. I'm going to gather my paperwork together an apply for citizenship ASAP.

Thanks for reassuring me that I am entitled to stay here.

You will be fine.

If anything the immigration officer ask grill you for trips out of the country or taxes but nothing else.

Go ahead get the citizenship.