HELP!

[JenniH 0]

My husband and I got married not too long ago in the state of New york while visiting in Niagra falls Canada. We ran across and got married and came back. He then had to go back to Germany where he was stationed in the US army. I stayed back in Canada for a while. I then went out there for the holidays and he then was sent to North Carolina where I went with him. When we got to immigration I told them that I was just visiting thinking that my husband was deploying and I would be going back home soon after getting to North Carolina. Now we are here he is not deploying and I am able to stay with him. Because at the border, I told them I was just visiting, am I able to stay here legally and do my paper work within the US? I dont want to go back to Canada to wait for whatever I have to do. Can Anyone give me some good advice on what to do and what would be the fastest way to be legal here and not put myself at risk of being deported?

[jurod16 0]

My husband and I got married not too long ago in the state of New york while visiting in Niagra falls Canada. We ran across and got married and came back. He then had to go back to Germany where he was stationed in the US army. I stayed back in Canada for a while. I then went out there for the holidays and he then was sent to North Carolina where I went with him. When we got to immigration I told them that I was just visiting thinking that my husband was deploying and I would be going back home soon after getting to North Carolina. Now we are here he is not deploying and I am able to stay with him. Because at the border, I told them I was just visiting, am I able to stay here legally and do my paper work within the US? I dont want to go back to Canada to wait for whatever I have to do. Can Anyone give me some good advice on what to do and what would be the fastest way to be legal here and not put myself at risk of being deported?

To be honest, I don't believe there is really a fast way to get through the process. You'll probably have to go back to Canada until you get an Immigrant Visa-if you get caught it would create problems for you in the long run and could get your husband in trouble. I suggest enjoy the time you have with your husband, once you file the I-130 you might not be able to come back to see him until you receive your Immigrant Visa, however some have been able to come over while in the waiting process (by you being a Canadian citizen, you might have a chance). How long is your Nonimmigrant Visa good for? You should file an I-130. By your husband being in NC, he'll have to file at the Vermont Service Center (VSC). They are known to take some time processing the I-130's, however, I believe someone gave them a kick in the butt to get the process rolling recently. It took us about 7-8 mos to get through VSC. However if you can get approved for an expedite, the petition could get pushed through quicker (if your husband is about to deploy to Iraq or Afghanistan, they tend to grant expedite request). If I were you, I'd get letters from his Commanders requesting expedited service due to his job, it may get your petition processed quicker. Also, there's a program for military members called AILA MAPS, Immigration Lawyers volunteer their services free of charge to military members. They'd be able to assist you with the loop holes to get you through the process. I hope this helps, at least a start. Good luck to you!

jurod16

[bill13060 0]

How much longer is your visitor visa good for? You may be able to go to the federal building or the USCIS location close to where you are staying and adjust your status there. I did that a long time ago for my ex-wife when she was here on a student visa. but that was when it was called INS and before 2001.

Edited February 8, 2009 by will92104

[carslo 0]

Congrats first off, as a Canadian you are legally allowed to stay in the USA for 180 days (not 6 months) and you can start the process for either a CR-1 or a K-3 while in the USA. That is what I did, and at the end of my 176 days I returned to Canada to finish the process.

Good luck on your journey.

Janet

[MsMariah 0]

I am by far no way knowledgable about this aspect of immigration, but I've read that you might be able to mail in your I130 with proof along with your Adjustment of Status so that you might be able to stay here and not go back. If you do go back to Canada, then you won't be allowed to return to US.

As far as not being honest when you first went through... does US issue any stamps in the Canadian passport? I don't remember getting any in my US passport when I visited Canada for less than a week. Maybe they won't know that unless they read it here....

Good luck,

Mariah

Edited February 9, 2009 by MsMariah