Hi all,
I had posted something about this previously, but as more time has gone on and the situation has changed, I need to post/ask again. My hubby is currently waiting for his ROC. We are getting close to being able to file for his citizenship, however, we are not sure that is a good idea at present due to prior child support issues.
Background:
Hubby and his ex-wife had a very contentious divorce 22 years ago (Canada) when their daughters were about 2. Short of it, ex wife took the girls and hid them from him. Being 22 years ago, the internet was still in its infancy, dad's didn't know they had rights, and he lived across the country from them, he couldn't find them and gave up. (Please, no judgment.) No child support was paid. Fast forward 15 years, one of the girls finds him, they try to have a relationship after all that time, and the ex decides to go after him for back child support. Fast forward to now, there obviously is still a large amount in arrears but the case has been adjudicated to the US (to our county in our state). Regular payments are deducted from his check and tax refunds are garnished to aid in bringing him current.
The kids are over 18 now. He will not be petitioning for them at any time in the future. We've spoken to a couple of attorneys in Canada re: going after the ex about this and it will be a very difficult case to win. As he is here in the States, he does not have the desire to go back to Canada just to litigate, especially if he is unlikely to win.
Questions:
1) Are we better to wait until the child support is paid in full before we move forward with his citizenship?
2) If he is denied citizenship, does that put his green card into jeopardy? (The whole moral, upstanding person thing.)