What a Waste of Money

[katand7 0]

I think he got his 10 year card in October or November something like that. He moved back to AUS by himself in January. And now we are getting a divorce. Feel like a big fool for spending all this time, money, and energy. But I guess he is free to come and go as he pleases in the US now.

I hope everyones experience ends - or should I say continues - with better results than mine.

Kathleen

[TayRivers 4]

I think he got his 10 year card in October or November something like that. He moved back to AUS by himself in January. And now we are getting a divorce. Feel like a big fool for spending all this time, money, and energy. But I guess he is free to come and go as he pleases in the US now.

I hope everyones experience ends - or should I say continues - with better results than mine.

Kathleen

So sorry to hear this news. To maintain his LPR status he will need to maintain his residency here in the US. Only Citizens can realy come and go as they please.

[Cuchita 1]

Wow sorry to hear but that's the risk we all take. Did you meet him online?

[Bobby+Umit 161]

I think he got his 10 year card in October or November something like that. He moved back to AUS by himself in January. And now we are getting a divorce. Feel like a big fool for spending all this time, money, and energy. But I guess he is free to come and go as he pleases in the US now.

I hope everyones experience ends - or should I say continues - with better results than mine.

Kathleen

Well - that sucks.

Yes, he can come and go as he pleases, however,

Permanent residence normally permits you to travel outside the United States and to return; however, there are some limitations.

Lengthy absences, particularly if they involve work or taking up residence abroad, can lead to abandonment and loss of permanent residence status, or delayed eligibility for naturalization. Absence for 1 year or more can cause serious problems.

If he doesn't fill out forms prior to leaving, and is gone longer than 12 months or so I believe, the above will apply to him.

Edited May 29, 2009 by Bobby_Umit

[English Muffin 59]

Moving from 'Removing Conditions' to 'Effects of Major Family Changes' forum.

[Immigrant2009 0]

I think he got his 10 year card in October or November something like that. He moved back to AUS by himself in January. And now we are getting a divorce. Feel like a big fool for spending all this time, money, and energy. But I guess he is free to come and go as he pleases in the US now.

I hope everyones experience ends - or should I say continues - with better results than mine.

Kathleen

Hi Kathleen,

Sorry to hear about your situation. I hope he didn't marry just to evade US Immigration Laws or just to get GC. Like others said, if he says outside of US for more than a year, he probably will loose his LPR status.

[venusfire503 54]

I think he got his 10 year card in October or November something like that. He moved back to AUS by himself in January. And now we are getting a divorce. Feel like a big fool for spending all this time, money, and energy. But I guess he is free to come and go as he pleases in the US now.

I hope everyones experience ends - or should I say continues - with better results than mine.

Kathleen

Kathleen,

I don't blame you for being upset. I hope there were some good times, at least. It's sweet of you to wish everyone else well, especially when you're going through this. I hope things work out for you. Best of luck.

venusfire

[southernchic 0]

Everything happens for a reason. I, too, divorced my spouse after two years of wasted time and energy. The relationship just never got off the ground because of his lies and bull. I knew right away that I wasn't going to apply for his visa. In 2008, the NVC canceled the petition once I didn't respond or follow up with them.

We followed our hearts. We found love. But if it doesn't work out....the best thing is to pick up the pieces and move on. I don't believe in regret. Just move on with hope for the future. I've found love again. I'm also optimistic. Hang in there!

S

I think he got his 10 year card in October or November something like that. He moved back to AUS by himself in January. And now we are getting a divorce. Feel like a big fool for spending all this time, money, and energy. But I guess he is free to come and go as he pleases in the US now.

I hope everyones experience ends - or should I say continues - with better results than mine.

Kathleen

[SuperDuper! 230]

WAS THERE A PRENUP??? WHEN WILL PEOPLE WISE UP???

[Reza 0]

I guess you can sue him, and take the card away from him, ONLINE DATING fraudulent married. talk to a attorney.

[Marina-Del 10]

Hi Kathleen,

Sorry to hear about your situation. I hope he didn't marry just to evade US Immigration Laws or just to get GC. Like others said, if he says outside of US for more than a year, he probably will loose his LPR status.

I'm sorry Kathleen for your situation That really sucks.

And I doubt that he was doing it for the GC. If he was, then he didn't do his research very well. Like Bobby said, to maintain his LPR status he cannot leave the US for more than 12 months at a time, and if he starts working back in Aus (or doesn't maintain his US address -presumably with you) then he risks losing it as well. I think that LPRs sometimes even have issues if they stay out of the country for up to 6 months at a time without a good reason.

If you think he DID do it for the GC, then you can always document your fears with USCIS. That way if he comes back to the US soon and starts living his life again, at least they will know. Although, I'm pretty sure that now that he has the green card they will be unlikely to take it from him. I know that they *can* be revoked if it is discovered that they were acquired through fraudulent means, but unless you have some way to prove fraud (like he's already married or something), then it's unlikely that they would pursue it.

Again, I'm sorry this has happened to you. But be assured that if he has in fact MOVED back to Aus, that he cannot just come back to the US whenever he so pleases.

[katand7 0]

Thanks everyone for your comments. Here are my responses:

As far as having a prenup - unnecessary for us. We both agreed that we would share mutual debt and take back our own individual debt. We had an apartment and didn't own any real estate. We had no children together. He went back to the same life he left in the first place.

I guess I was just feeling frustrated and was not very eloquent with my post. I know that he didn't just marry me for a green card. There is no fraud. He just underestimated how much living here was going to be difficult and when you add to that the stress of an instant family (I have children from my first marriage) and someone who never moved out on his own from Mom and Dad anyway. We both (somewhat naively) thought that love could conquer anything and I'm sure that it can. But only if both people are committed and want that. He may have thought that is what he wanted but it was not. And it did not help that at every difficult juncture he had his family back in AUS telling him that us being together was a mistake and he should just come back. He had an easy out and he took it. I just am totally frustrated that when we were having problems before filing for removal of conditions that I would not have invested the money to file. But you can't go back. I was just venting.

Yes I agree that things happen for a reason. And I do believe that I can find happiness again.

To the person who asked if we met on the internet - yes we did. But I wouldn't say that was really an issue because we were friends first and we talked and communicated for FIVE years before ever meeting in person and pursuing anything. So it wasn't hasty by any means.

And my wish for those going through the process etc is indeed true. Rooting for love to do anything but succeed would just be sour grapes on my part.

Best wishes to everyone and thank you for your heartfelt expressions of kindness.

Kathleen

[Gemmie 142]

I'm sorry this happened. This happened to someone else I know who had fears and family telling them not to leave. I hope you learned something from it so you can move on with your life.