I know your original post was over 4 years ago so you may have already taken care of this. If not, let me enlighten you on the rights of your spouse in your situation. I am also a contractor for the US and have been stationed in the middle east since 2007 on various projects. I married my wife in 2010 and she became an LPR in 2012. We then had her conditional residency removed and she became a 10 year resident.
The last 2 times I went to the US, we were questioned as to why she was out of the country for 6 and 7 months. The first POE was Houston and the second was Dulles. I explained to them that I am stationed abroad on government orders and showed them my government issued ID card. The CPB officer in Houston let us through and the on at Dulles let us through but stated we needed to apply for a re-entry permit next time. I knew that there had to be something that could be done considering the nature of my work so I talked to a friend of mine who was also working abroad, married a foreign national, and obtained her citizenship while he was abroad.
According to section 319(b) of the INA (Immigration and Nationality Act), the LPR spouse of a US citizen who is regularly stationed abroad under certain contract work is entitled to expedited naturalization. Physical presence and US residency requirements are WAIVED in this case. You don't even have to be in the US to file inder these circumstances. You just need to have at least 1 year left abroad at the time of the naturalization interview, and they usually swear the interviewee in on the spot.
So don't let all of these living room lawyers tell you the law. Your spouse has rights as an LPR. I hope this info helps you, or anyone else out there, who chooses to work abroad and not have your spouse punished for it.
Anyone refused entry under one year on greencard
in Working & Traveling During US Immigration
Posted
SPSguy,
I know your original post was over 4 years ago so you may have already taken care of this. If not, let me enlighten you on the rights of your spouse in your situation. I am also a contractor for the US and have been stationed in the middle east since 2007 on various projects. I married my wife in 2010 and she became an LPR in 2012. We then had her conditional residency removed and she became a 10 year resident.
The last 2 times I went to the US, we were questioned as to why she was out of the country for 6 and 7 months. The first POE was Houston and the second was Dulles. I explained to them that I am stationed abroad on government orders and showed them my government issued ID card. The CPB officer in Houston let us through and the on at Dulles let us through but stated we needed to apply for a re-entry permit next time. I knew that there had to be something that could be done considering the nature of my work so I talked to a friend of mine who was also working abroad, married a foreign national, and obtained her citizenship while he was abroad.
According to section 319(b) of the INA (Immigration and Nationality Act), the LPR spouse of a US citizen who is regularly stationed abroad under certain contract work is entitled to expedited naturalization. Physical presence and US residency requirements are WAIVED in this case. You don't even have to be in the US to file inder these circumstances. You just need to have at least 1 year left abroad at the time of the naturalization interview, and they usually swear the interviewee in on the spot.
So don't let all of these living room lawyers tell you the law. Your spouse has rights as an LPR. I hope this info helps you, or anyone else out there, who chooses to work abroad and not have your spouse punished for it.