well...it finally happened!

[perfect 39]

some of you may remember my posting about an acquaintance who tried to bypass the immigration process last year. They married in Mexico in December, did a honeymoon cruise from SanDiego to Acapulco and merely returned to the USA married At no point did they file any paperwork whatsoever prior to or after their wedding. She has continued to travel back and forth across the border to see her family and then return here to her husband. Last week, immigration or border patrol finaly cottoned on to what she was doing on her tourist visa and denied her re-entry at the border so she is now stuck in Mexico away from her husband.

I'm not altogether surprised it happened because they really took no measures to be discreet about what they were doing, which irritates slightly because before they got married I printed out every piece of information I could find as to the process for imigration, told them of the possible consequences if they choose to ignore it, and of course now the worst has happened and they are wondering why!

We went out for dinner with them about a month ago and I asked her whether she had received her green card yet as I know that she has been working (actually illegally for the last 2 years!). She told me then that they hadn't filed any paperwork and had no idea if or when they would do so!

I wasn't sure what to tell advise them about what to do next. Do they simply have to file an I-130 and wait for it to be processed. If so, I guess filing through California that could take up to a year to get her here?

What impact will it have that she stayed here illegally for 7 months and worked illegaly for 2 years? Will they have to file a waiver? Will there likely be a ban of some kind?

Any helpful advice would be very much appreciated.

[diadromous mermaid 36]

some of you may remember my posting about an acquaintance who tried to bypass the immigration process last year. They married in Mexico in December, did a honeymoon cruise from SanDiego to Acapulco and merely returned to the USA married At no point did they file any paperwork whatsoever prior to or after their wedding. She has continued to travel back and forth across the border to see her family and then return here to her husband. Last week, immigration or border patrol finaly cottoned on to what she was doing on her tourist visa and denied her re-entry at the border so she is now stuck in Mexico away from her husband.

I'm not altogether surprised it happened because they really took no measures to be discreet about what they were doing, which irritates slightly because before they got married I printed out every piece of information I could find as to the process for imigration, told them of the possible consequences if they choose to ignore it, and of course now the worst has happened and they are wondering why!

We went out for dinner with them about a month ago and I asked her whether she had received her green card yet as I know that she has been working (actually illegally for the last 2 years!). She told me then that they hadn't filed any paperwork and had no idea if or when they would do so!

I wasn't sure what to tell advise them about what to do next. Do they simply have to file an I-130 and wait for it to be processed. If so, I guess filing through California that could take up to a year to get her here?

What impact will it have that she stayed here illegally for 7 months and worked illegaly for 2 years? Will they have to file a waiver? Will there likely be a ban of some kind?

Any helpful advice would be very much appreciated.

The hardship waiver is filed to overcome the ban.

[KarenCee 3]

*shakes head*

No comment

[Peter Miami 0]

It amazes me people never learn. I think her husband should see an immigration attorney.

Good luck,

Peter Miami

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

I'm not altogether surprised it happened because they really took no measures to be discreet about what they were doing, which irritates slightly because before they got married I printed out every piece of information I could find as to the process for imigration, told them of the possible consequences if they choose to ignore it, and of course now the worst has happened and they are wondering why!

I can understand failing to file due to laziness or whatever. But don't act surprised when you are caught. sheesh

[meauxna 15]

I wasn't sure what to tell advise them about what to do next. Do they simply have to file an I-130 and wait for it to be processed. If so, I guess filing through California that could take up to a year to get her here?

I don't think you should 'advise' them at all. Give them the relevant links on uscis.gov and let them have at it. You can not 'make" them do their case correctly, and after the way they ignored you, why press the point?

Especially when they find out that it's going to be closer to TWO years before she gets here... (the wait for an IV appointment in Mexico is currently running one year. That is after the Service Center and time at the NVC).

They have a lot to learn; you might not want to be in the way!

[Kajikit 65]

Sounds like they've made their bed so now they've got to lie in it... nobody can MAKE anybody else do the right thing. So don't feel too upset for them - you did your best to help them do things properly and it was their choice to ignore all the paperwork and advice...

[arwensun1965 1]

Sounds like they've made their bed so now they've got to lie in it... nobody can MAKE anybody else do the right thing. So don't feel too upset for them - you did your best to help them do things properly and it was their choice to ignore all the paperwork and advice...

Abso...bloody..lutely