fazmo

First of all, I know you already understand your mistakes but I just wanted to vent and make sure you understand it fully. The system you blamed for protecting her was the same one you refused to protect you from this evil woman and stood in the way even investing a lot of time and money. Do not blame the system because you did not want its protection. She was heading to hell and you endangered yourself, your mother and your children by saving her while you clearly understood she was not nice to any of you. In America, there is something called "choice". She chose the road to hell by trying to manipulate the system to get unfair benefits. She was caught in the process. You should have respected her choice and allow her to pickup the consequences. Yes, I do understand that you were acting a good husband (way too good), but I also expect any father would protect his children. You did not. I am not sure whether I should blame her evil behavior or your lack of good judgment. Yes you deserve sympathy and I am really sorry, but I am so sorry for the kids who deserved far more step-mother (or a father who would go to great lengths to protect his kids, if the mom turns bad). They are the real victims here.
OK that being said, my first advice to you is apologize to your kids. Talk to them the first chance you got and cry in front of them and show you are sorry about all that happened. Tell them you were trying your best to get a caring mom but like some people do, you run to a bad woman. Show them you care. They would at least understand that they still have you as a father and not the husband of that woman they were so scared off. Make sure you tell them it is over and she is never coming back and she will never hurt them again.
Second, fire that attorney. Do not pay him any more money. When you are firing him, make sure you tell him he failed you and your innocent children and could not stand for their rights. In case he was in cahoots with the defense attorney, make him feel so guilty and tell him he ruined your life and worse the lives of children and not worthy your trust anymore.
Do not listen to his advice and report the crime (the threats, the knife over the children, the bruises everything) to the Children Protective Services. Trust me, they have child physiologist who would get the truth out of those kids and most judges would respect their findings. It takes one single felony charge to ruin her chances of staying here. I am going to repeat that. It takes only one single felony charge for her to loose whatever legal status she has here. It does not matter even if she got her 10 year green card. If she is found guilty of endangering children, she is out.
Another thing you should remember is that if you do not fight for your survival, nobody will. Not an attorney, not a judge, not any one else. Her attorney is good probably she is pushing him and manipulating him like she did for the last 2 years. You should grow some teeth and fight like a father and like a man and make your attorney or the judge fight for you. I know, with your story, I could present myself and convince any judge that this woman was a pure evil and deserved nothing but a jail and deportation. I don't need a lawyer or legal knowledge to show her evil maneuvers through the system - because it is as white as ice. She is here because you sponsored her. She is out of jail and deportation processing because you decided to stand in the way. She is ruining your life and your children because you tolerated her far more than anyone could have. Are you going to sit around and hope she will leave your alone? I guarantee you this will go on and on until you decide to put an end to it and work hard and fast to show the judge her true colors.
Talk with the ICE. Mention how she left the exact last day of the period the judge ordered her to stay. Mention how she endangered the children. Basically tell the ICE everything.
Last, I am really sorry about all that happen to you. Even though you made some terrible judgments, no one deserves to go through this. I do hope that you keep your children safe and make sure their property and wellbeing are protected.

How on earth does calling fellow member a thief is not a personal attack. I like JustBob too and he is a good contributor in this forum; but today, with all due respect, he is out of line - way out of line. I was looking if those personal attacks from respected members would attract any attention from our moderators. I was pleased to see one of them giving warnings against personal attacks. Fairness and general forum policy should not waived from any member no matter how we like him/her or how much he/she contributes. The OP, in his original post, mentioned that he misunderstood the question. He repeated that by saying it was not in his/her intention to hide anything. Any reasonable person would take the OP's word for that. Even if you don't believe the OP's story, do not judge or call him/her names. Offer your help and politely mention the mistakes of the OP, if any. There are many ways to show the OP the terrible mistake he/she has done. Calling him/her names is not one of them.
OP, as stated, this could have been far more worse as the IO could cite misrepresentation in their denial letter. I would just wait the 3 years and file again through a lawyer.

I can understand why the IO saw a big red flag in sending one's entire salary to other people - especially when they are married. I myself come from a background where the support for extended family is highly expected, but sending the entire salary is quite strange to me. This case is not about what is right or wrong. It is not even what is legal or not. It is about whether the judgment of the IO is justifiable among the average person. I would say that IS the case. Sending the entire salary (while fulfilling marriage obligations is expected) screams like someone who doesn't want to establish life here in the US, someone who is completely detached from her married life and attached to home country. It screams that, load and clear. Now in terms of right/wrong, that would depend on the individual affected couple. If the OP is ok with supporting his wife in working for her family to the penny, that is entirely up to him and certainly not anyone's business. When it comes to legal battle, USCIS will have to prove the marriage is in fact not bona fide against all contest. The OP and his wife will likely win in court, given they have and provide enough evidence to show they are happily married. However, the IO officer, in my opinion, used a sound judgement in denying the application because the wife would seem to be detached from her marital household to the average person - even to those of us who were raised to support the extended family.

i already yelled at my fiance 4 months ago..
DO NOT OPEN THE YELLOW ENVELOPE >.
we just sent off K1.. 3 weeks ago i am proactive!!

No embassy denies a visa without having a basis for denial in the immigration law. A CO must cite his legal basis in every visa decision - whether approval or denial. You have used a strong phrase saying that it has been "proved so very many times" that a naked nikah (when that is not performed by the legal authority and registered) has made a mess for K-1 applicants. Could you please provide some sources to that? I would be happy to learn from it. The only way, a naked nikah (I will use naked to differentiate it from a nikah performed by the legal court or one that was validated by such) can create a mess if and only if the applicant gives the CO the impression that they are married. If the CO asks one "Are you married?" and they answer "Yes" to that question, the CO is not required to seek further evidence and can deny the visa by the applicant's admission. I do not give advise of something I am not familiar with - especially when it costs time and money and perhaps a life time chance to a person. I said it before and will say again a nikah that is not performed in the legal way IS NOT a marriage in immigration law because I know it. You can find plenty of people who did nikah and had a successful K1 visa. You can even find people who have done other religious rituals for marriage and yet successfully completed their K1 visa process. Anyway, I would be happy to see your sources. I would completely understand other members who took the question as the PO is in fact getting married (As any CO may also do so by the applicant's admission), but it will be interesting if there is someone who has knowledge in this matter and say the embassy can deny (or approve) a visa because of a naked nikah is viewed as a legal marriage.

I have been reading all the answers but I believe answering this question requires some understanding of what marriage is considered in religious terms (Islam, in this case) and the immigration law. There is absolutely no problem for you to make a nikah while applying for or holding a K-1 visa. In Immigration law, marriage is valid if it is valid in the place where the marriage took place. The marriage MUST be registered in the appropriate authorities in order to be deemed legal under immigration law. A nikah is not a marriage unless it is conducted by the appropriate authority AND fully registered. However, in Sharia law, anyone with knowledge of Islamic marriage law can perform the nikah - even if you pull him from the street. All the family wants is to let their daughter go with her husband (In Sharia law terms, not in family law terms). A member of her family or a sheikh from the local mosque can perform the nikah and it will not be deemed legal under the Egyptian law or US immigration law. I have seen a fellow member saying that Muslim countries recognize nikah as a legal marriage. That is not true at all. What he/she may got confused is that the authorized marriage court or registry can retroactively validate a nikah as a legal marriage if the required witnesses attest a nikah has taken place. It is very confusing to some, I know, but such marriage was not legal under the family law before it was validated by the proper authority. The fact that it was validated retroactively (back to the date when the witnesses attested the nikah took place) does not mean it was legal before the validation. This is very interesting because once a nikah is validated retroactively, you can use it to seek US immigration benefits because it is legal from that point on. If you don't want to validate your nikah retroactively, you just say so and the family court or the civil registry will just register your marriage effective that day.
These are the points:
- Under US immigration law, a marriage must be legal in the place where it took place. It must be registered in the appropriate authority as per the government of that country.
- A nikah is not a legal marriage in US (and in any country for that matter) unless it is properly performed and registered by an authority duly authorized by the local government.
Therefore, it is perfectly fine that you go ahead with the nikah arrangement with her family. You just make sure that it is neither performed by an authorized judge nor registered with the civil registry. In western society, it is like an engagement - although it weighs more when looked from the religious perspective. In Islam, two are duly married when the man accepts the nikah offer. Consulates in predominantly Muslim countries know about local traditions and therefore know what nikah is. You can tell them in the face that you have performed nikah and it won't change anything because you still need to be legally married. It is neither fraud nor lie to answer "NO" if you are asked whether you are married. They are asking whether you are legally married - not whether you are married in Islamic terms. In fact, you have to answer "NO" to such questions until your marriage is duly registered.
Proxy marriage is never advisable by the way. It is a gamble when it comes to seeking immigration.

OP -
As many have said, the CR1 is your only hope but the certificate is needed.
You might not like the points below but they are reality:
1. No visa is guaranteed whether k-1 or CR1. Don't fall into this trap. As I understand, India is a touch place to get visa so you have to be prepared.
2. The visa process is not fast so you have to mentally get ready to wait at least 10 months.
3. The whole process is emotionally draining and very frustrating
Best wishes!

Yes there is one facility in Boston.

I wouldn't dissuade you for making an appointment with a USCIS or ICE officer to lay it all out. Really isn't much more that you can do. And if it gains you peace of mind then it's probably well worth it.
Sounds like you've got it all in proper perspective. Still sucks. Still hurts. The good news is that it is also survivable.
Best to you and your daughter.

How on earth does calling fellow member a thief is not a personal attack. I like JustBob too and he is a good contributor in this forum; but today, with all due respect, he is out of line - way out of line. I was looking if those personal attacks from respected members would attract any attention from our moderators. I was pleased to see one of them giving warnings against personal attacks. Fairness and general forum policy should not waived from any member no matter how we like him/her or how much he/she contributes. The OP, in his original post, mentioned that he misunderstood the question. He repeated that by saying it was not in his/her intention to hide anything. Any reasonable person would take the OP's word for that. Even if you don't believe the OP's story, do not judge or call him/her names. Offer your help and politely mention the mistakes of the OP, if any. There are many ways to show the OP the terrible mistake he/she has done. Calling him/her names is not one of them.
OP, as stated, this could have been far more worse as the IO could cite misrepresentation in their denial letter. I would just wait the 3 years and file again through a lawyer.

How on earth does calling fellow member a thief is not a personal attack. I like JustBob too and he is a good contributor in this forum; but today, with all due respect, he is out of line - way out of line. I was looking if those personal attacks from respected members would attract any attention from our moderators. I was pleased to see one of them giving warnings against personal attacks. Fairness and general forum policy should not waived from any member no matter how we like him/her or how much he/she contributes. The OP, in his original post, mentioned that he misunderstood the question. He repeated that by saying it was not in his/her intention to hide anything. Any reasonable person would take the OP's word for that. Even if you don't believe the OP's story, do not judge or call him/her names. Offer your help and politely mention the mistakes of the OP, if any. There are many ways to show the OP the terrible mistake he/she has done. Calling him/her names is not one of them.
OP, as stated, this could have been far more worse as the IO could cite misrepresentation in their denial letter. I would just wait the 3 years and file again through a lawyer.

How on earth does calling fellow member a thief is not a personal attack. I like JustBob too and he is a good contributor in this forum; but today, with all due respect, he is out of line - way out of line. I was looking if those personal attacks from respected members would attract any attention from our moderators. I was pleased to see one of them giving warnings against personal attacks. Fairness and general forum policy should not waived from any member no matter how we like him/her or how much he/she contributes. The OP, in his original post, mentioned that he misunderstood the question. He repeated that by saying it was not in his/her intention to hide anything. Any reasonable person would take the OP's word for that. Even if you don't believe the OP's story, do not judge or call him/her names. Offer your help and politely mention the mistakes of the OP, if any. There are many ways to show the OP the terrible mistake he/she has done. Calling him/her names is not one of them.
OP, as stated, this could have been far more worse as the IO could cite misrepresentation in their denial letter. I would just wait the 3 years and file again through a lawyer.

How on earth does calling fellow member a thief is not a personal attack. I like JustBob too and he is a good contributor in this forum; but today, with all due respect, he is out of line - way out of line. I was looking if those personal attacks from respected members would attract any attention from our moderators. I was pleased to see one of them giving warnings against personal attacks. Fairness and general forum policy should not waived from any member no matter how we like him/her or how much he/she contributes. The OP, in his original post, mentioned that he misunderstood the question. He repeated that by saying it was not in his/her intention to hide anything. Any reasonable person would take the OP's word for that. Even if you don't believe the OP's story, do not judge or call him/her names. Offer your help and politely mention the mistakes of the OP, if any. There are many ways to show the OP the terrible mistake he/she has done. Calling him/her names is not one of them.
OP, as stated, this could have been far more worse as the IO could cite misrepresentation in their denial letter. I would just wait the 3 years and file again through a lawyer.

I think some of you have gone over the top attacking this guy.To call him a thief when you do not know the facts of the case is not fair.He/she was simply asking for advice on how to proceed, not for people to sit in judgement and issue personal attacks.I want to apologize that you posted something here and this is the response you got.VJ is better than that.Sorry.As far as your situation, I dont know how to proceed.

May be you missed that this is a Diversity visa. Or may be you missed that he got married two weeks before flying to the US and after the immigrant visa was issued? He doesn't qualify for any other immigrant benefit (other than self) under the diversity visa. He is a permanent resident and can file an I-130 for spouse and face the long wait.

The legal position is that the CO has a legal discretion to evaluate if someone could become a public charge or not. The CO can - and has the full authority - to delay the issuance of visa or even deny it if, upon evaluation of the provided financial support evidence, the beneficiary was still unable to overcome the public charge presumption. A senator cannot do anything about it. The NVC cannot do anything about it. The CO has the final say in evaluating financial support that is available for the intending immigrants to avoid becoming a public charge. Remember that the CO could have denied your visa and still be within his legal lane. You are given a chance to seek a co-sponsor, which I find a lot easier to find than initiating a fight against a system you have almost zero chance of prevailing.

If a new family is founded by intermingling the lives of two people who get married, they leave the old family, like birds leave the nest.
Intermingling of finances means that husband and wife work toward a common goal of the family. Their family, not a family in the Philippines. Thus, I can understand if an Immigration Officer who is taking a close look at this would evaluate this unfavorably. But there's more to this than we know. We don't know the whole story, we haven't seen the list of documents, we were not present at the interview.
At this point it's really time for plan B.

When you think about it.... a lot of people send money to their parents, brothers, etc, etc... BUT how many couples send exactly (or almost) their particular salary every month back home? That would be a HUGE red flag for me... even if the husband made $10,000 a month and that more than paid for the bills. If I make $8,000 a month and my wife makes $2,000 it is pretty stupid to send 2k back home every month since it just screams of having a bf or husband back in the home country. Everyone that isn't in the typical situation has to think, "How is this going to look to a stranger?" Because anything unusual can be interpreted as something that it isn't... such as fraud.

I can understand why the IO saw a big red flag in sending one's entire salary to other people - especially when they are married. I myself come from a background where the support for extended family is highly expected, but sending the entire salary is quite strange to me. This case is not about what is right or wrong. It is not even what is legal or not. It is about whether the judgment of the IO is justifiable among the average person. I would say that IS the case. Sending the entire salary (while fulfilling marriage obligations is expected) screams like someone who doesn't want to establish life here in the US, someone who is completely detached from her married life and attached to home country. It screams that, load and clear. Now in terms of right/wrong, that would depend on the individual affected couple. If the OP is ok with supporting his wife in working for her family to the penny, that is entirely up to him and certainly not anyone's business. When it comes to legal battle, USCIS will have to prove the marriage is in fact not bona fide against all contest. The OP and his wife will likely win in court, given they have and provide enough evidence to show they are happily married. However, the IO officer, in my opinion, used a sound judgement in denying the application because the wife would seem to be detached from her marital household to the average person - even to those of us who were raised to support the extended family.

I can understand why the IO saw a big red flag in sending one's entire salary to other people - especially when they are married. I myself come from a background where the support for extended family is highly expected, but sending the entire salary is quite strange to me. This case is not about what is right or wrong. It is not even what is legal or not. It is about whether the judgment of the IO is justifiable among the average person. I would say that IS the case. Sending the entire salary (while fulfilling marriage obligations is expected) screams like someone who doesn't want to establish life here in the US, someone who is completely detached from her married life and attached to home country. It screams that, load and clear. Now in terms of right/wrong, that would depend on the individual affected couple. If the OP is ok with supporting his wife in working for her family to the penny, that is entirely up to him and certainly not anyone's business. When it comes to legal battle, USCIS will have to prove the marriage is in fact not bona fide against all contest. The OP and his wife will likely win in court, given they have and provide enough evidence to show they are happily married. However, the IO officer, in my opinion, used a sound judgement in denying the application because the wife would seem to be detached from her marital household to the average person - even to those of us who were raised to support the extended family.

I can understand why the IO saw a big red flag in sending one's entire salary to other people - especially when they are married. I myself come from a background where the support for extended family is highly expected, but sending the entire salary is quite strange to me. This case is not about what is right or wrong. It is not even what is legal or not. It is about whether the judgment of the IO is justifiable among the average person. I would say that IS the case. Sending the entire salary (while fulfilling marriage obligations is expected) screams like someone who doesn't want to establish life here in the US, someone who is completely detached from her married life and attached to home country. It screams that, load and clear. Now in terms of right/wrong, that would depend on the individual affected couple. If the OP is ok with supporting his wife in working for her family to the penny, that is entirely up to him and certainly not anyone's business. When it comes to legal battle, USCIS will have to prove the marriage is in fact not bona fide against all contest. The OP and his wife will likely win in court, given they have and provide enough evidence to show they are happily married. However, the IO officer, in my opinion, used a sound judgement in denying the application because the wife would seem to be detached from her marital household to the average person - even to those of us who were raised to support the extended family.

I can understand why the IO saw a big red flag in sending one's entire salary to other people - especially when they are married. I myself come from a background where the support for extended family is highly expected, but sending the entire salary is quite strange to me. This case is not about what is right or wrong. It is not even what is legal or not. It is about whether the judgment of the IO is justifiable among the average person. I would say that IS the case. Sending the entire salary (while fulfilling marriage obligations is expected) screams like someone who doesn't want to establish life here in the US, someone who is completely detached from her married life and attached to home country. It screams that, load and clear. Now in terms of right/wrong, that would depend on the individual affected couple. If the OP is ok with supporting his wife in working for her family to the penny, that is entirely up to him and certainly not anyone's business. When it comes to legal battle, USCIS will have to prove the marriage is in fact not bona fide against all contest. The OP and his wife will likely win in court, given they have and provide enough evidence to show they are happily married. However, the IO officer, in my opinion, used a sound judgement in denying the application because the wife would seem to be detached from her marital household to the average person - even to those of us who were raised to support the extended family.

First of all, I know you already understand your mistakes but I just wanted to vent and make sure you understand it fully. The system you blamed for protecting her was the same one you refused to protect you from this evil woman and stood in the way even investing a lot of time and money. Do not blame the system because you did not want its protection. She was heading to hell and you endangered yourself, your mother and your children by saving her while you clearly understood she was not nice to any of you. In America, there is something called "choice". She chose the road to hell by trying to manipulate the system to get unfair benefits. She was caught in the process. You should have respected her choice and allow her to pickup the consequences. Yes, I do understand that you were acting a good husband (way too good), but I also expect any father would protect his children. You did not. I am not sure whether I should blame her evil behavior or your lack of good judgment. Yes you deserve sympathy and I am really sorry, but I am so sorry for the kids who deserved far more step-mother (or a father who would go to great lengths to protect his kids, if the mom turns bad). They are the real victims here.
OK that being said, my first advice to you is apologize to your kids. Talk to them the first chance you got and cry in front of them and show you are sorry about all that happened. Tell them you were trying your best to get a caring mom but like some people do, you run to a bad woman. Show them you care. They would at least understand that they still have you as a father and not the husband of that woman they were so scared off. Make sure you tell them it is over and she is never coming back and she will never hurt them again.
Second, fire that attorney. Do not pay him any more money. When you are firing him, make sure you tell him he failed you and your innocent children and could not stand for their rights. In case he was in cahoots with the defense attorney, make him feel so guilty and tell him he ruined your life and worse the lives of children and not worthy your trust anymore.
Do not listen to his advice and report the crime (the threats, the knife over the children, the bruises everything) to the Children Protective Services. Trust me, they have child physiologist who would get the truth out of those kids and most judges would respect their findings. It takes one single felony charge to ruin her chances of staying here. I am going to repeat that. It takes only one single felony charge for her to loose whatever legal status she has here. It does not matter even if she got her 10 year green card. If she is found guilty of endangering children, she is out.
Another thing you should remember is that if you do not fight for your survival, nobody will. Not an attorney, not a judge, not any one else. Her attorney is good probably she is pushing him and manipulating him like she did for the last 2 years. You should grow some teeth and fight like a father and like a man and make your attorney or the judge fight for you. I know, with your story, I could present myself and convince any judge that this woman was a pure evil and deserved nothing but a jail and deportation. I don't need a lawyer or legal knowledge to show her evil maneuvers through the system - because it is as white as ice. She is here because you sponsored her. She is out of jail and deportation processing because you decided to stand in the way. She is ruining your life and your children because you tolerated her far more than anyone could have. Are you going to sit around and hope she will leave your alone? I guarantee you this will go on and on until you decide to put an end to it and work hard and fast to show the judge her true colors.
Talk with the ICE. Mention how she left the exact last day of the period the judge ordered her to stay. Mention how she endangered the children. Basically tell the ICE everything.
Last, I am really sorry about all that happen to you. Even though you made some terrible judgments, no one deserves to go through this. I do hope that you keep your children safe and make sure their property and wellbeing are protected.

First of all, I know you already understand your mistakes but I just wanted to vent and make sure you understand it fully. The system you blamed for protecting her was the same one you refused to protect you from this evil woman and stood in the way even investing a lot of time and money. Do not blame the system because you did not want its protection. She was heading to hell and you endangered yourself, your mother and your children by saving her while you clearly understood she was not nice to any of you. In America, there is something called "choice". She chose the road to hell by trying to manipulate the system to get unfair benefits. She was caught in the process. You should have respected her choice and allow her to pickup the consequences. Yes, I do understand that you were acting a good husband (way too good), but I also expect any father would protect his children. You did not. I am not sure whether I should blame her evil behavior or your lack of good judgment. Yes you deserve sympathy and I am really sorry, but I am so sorry for the kids who deserved far more step-mother (or a father who would go to great lengths to protect his kids, if the mom turns bad). They are the real victims here.
OK that being said, my first advice to you is apologize to your kids. Talk to them the first chance you got and cry in front of them and show you are sorry about all that happened. Tell them you were trying your best to get a caring mom but like some people do, you run to a bad woman. Show them you care. They would at least understand that they still have you as a father and not the husband of that woman they were so scared off. Make sure you tell them it is over and she is never coming back and she will never hurt them again.
Second, fire that attorney. Do not pay him any more money. When you are firing him, make sure you tell him he failed you and your innocent children and could not stand for their rights. In case he was in cahoots with the defense attorney, make him feel so guilty and tell him he ruined your life and worse the lives of children and not worthy your trust anymore.
Do not listen to his advice and report the crime (the threats, the knife over the children, the bruises everything) to the Children Protective Services. Trust me, they have child physiologist who would get the truth out of those kids and most judges would respect their findings. It takes one single felony charge to ruin her chances of staying here. I am going to repeat that. It takes only one single felony charge for her to loose whatever legal status she has here. It does not matter even if she got her 10 year green card. If she is found guilty of endangering children, she is out.
Another thing you should remember is that if you do not fight for your survival, nobody will. Not an attorney, not a judge, not any one else. Her attorney is good probably she is pushing him and manipulating him like she did for the last 2 years. You should grow some teeth and fight like a father and like a man and make your attorney or the judge fight for you. I know, with your story, I could present myself and convince any judge that this woman was a pure evil and deserved nothing but a jail and deportation. I don't need a lawyer or legal knowledge to show her evil maneuvers through the system - because it is as white as ice. She is here because you sponsored her. She is out of jail and deportation processing because you decided to stand in the way. She is ruining your life and your children because you tolerated her far more than anyone could have. Are you going to sit around and hope she will leave your alone? I guarantee you this will go on and on until you decide to put an end to it and work hard and fast to show the judge her true colors.
Talk with the ICE. Mention how she left the exact last day of the period the judge ordered her to stay. Mention how she endangered the children. Basically tell the ICE everything.
Last, I am really sorry about all that happen to you. Even though you made some terrible judgments, no one deserves to go through this. I do hope that you keep your children safe and make sure their property and wellbeing are protected.

First of all, I know you already understand your mistakes but I just wanted to vent and make sure you understand it fully. The system you blamed for protecting her was the same one you refused to protect you from this evil woman and stood in the way even investing a lot of time and money. Do not blame the system because you did not want its protection. She was heading to hell and you endangered yourself, your mother and your children by saving her while you clearly understood she was not nice to any of you. In America, there is something called "choice". She chose the road to hell by trying to manipulate the system to get unfair benefits. She was caught in the process. You should have respected her choice and allow her to pickup the consequences. Yes, I do understand that you were acting a good husband (way too good), but I also expect any father would protect his children. You did not. I am not sure whether I should blame her evil behavior or your lack of good judgment. Yes you deserve sympathy and I am really sorry, but I am so sorry for the kids who deserved far more step-mother (or a father who would go to great lengths to protect his kids, if the mom turns bad). They are the real victims here.
OK that being said, my first advice to you is apologize to your kids. Talk to them the first chance you got and cry in front of them and show you are sorry about all that happened. Tell them you were trying your best to get a caring mom but like some people do, you run to a bad woman. Show them you care. They would at least understand that they still have you as a father and not the husband of that woman they were so scared off. Make sure you tell them it is over and she is never coming back and she will never hurt them again.
Second, fire that attorney. Do not pay him any more money. When you are firing him, make sure you tell him he failed you and your innocent children and could not stand for their rights. In case he was in cahoots with the defense attorney, make him feel so guilty and tell him he ruined your life and worse the lives of children and not worthy your trust anymore.
Do not listen to his advice and report the crime (the threats, the knife over the children, the bruises everything) to the Children Protective Services. Trust me, they have child physiologist who would get the truth out of those kids and most judges would respect their findings. It takes one single felony charge to ruin her chances of staying here. I am going to repeat that. It takes only one single felony charge for her to loose whatever legal status she has here. It does not matter even if she got her 10 year green card. If she is found guilty of endangering children, she is out.
Another thing you should remember is that if you do not fight for your survival, nobody will. Not an attorney, not a judge, not any one else. Her attorney is good probably she is pushing him and manipulating him like she did for the last 2 years. You should grow some teeth and fight like a father and like a man and make your attorney or the judge fight for you. I know, with your story, I could present myself and convince any judge that this woman was a pure evil and deserved nothing but a jail and deportation. I don't need a lawyer or legal knowledge to show her evil maneuvers through the system - because it is as white as ice. She is here because you sponsored her. She is out of jail and deportation processing because you decided to stand in the way. She is ruining your life and your children because you tolerated her far more than anyone could have. Are you going to sit around and hope she will leave your alone? I guarantee you this will go on and on until you decide to put an end to it and work hard and fast to show the judge her true colors.
Talk with the ICE. Mention how she left the exact last day of the period the judge ordered her to stay. Mention how she endangered the children. Basically tell the ICE everything.
Last, I am really sorry about all that happen to you. Even though you made some terrible judgments, no one deserves to go through this. I do hope that you keep your children safe and make sure their property and wellbeing are protected.