Evidence of bona fide marriage

[DandT14 272]

You have two things that are considered red flags...it has no bearing on you approval or denial, it just means that they may dig into it a little more.

Send what is required now and then bring everything you can to the interview including confidence and the ability to handle having your relationship questioned.

Why is it a red flag to have divorce date and new marriage date so close together? Does anyone know? I'm not questioning that it IS a red flag, I'm just wondering why that's considered suspicious?

[jdh 103]

Why is it a red flag to have divorce date and new marriage date so close together? Does anyone know? I'm not questioning that it IS a red flag, I'm just wondering why that's considered suspicious?

Because people who commit immigration fraud for money or for a friend can sometimes file divorce and then quickly get married in order to file for someone's green card.

Typical marriages tend to have a longer courting process...

Edited April 26, 2012 by jdh

[DandT14 272]

Because people who commit immigration fraud for money or for a friend can sometimes file divorce and then quickly get married in order to file for someone's green card.

Typical marriages tend to have a longer courting process...

True, but it takes 6 months minimum for even an uncontested divorce to be finalized (at least in California). Oh well, I guess I can just explain it if and when asked.

I guess the fact that we were so slow about applying for his AOS will show we weren't rushing just to get him a green card. We're just horrible procrastinators.

[DandT14 272]

Ok, another question on the same topic. My husband is not on the lease. I never told my landlord he was here. I was thinking of just asking him to amend the lease now. Then at least I'll have it before the interview. Do you think it's worth it, or will it just be obvious that I was running around trying to collect evidence?

[Darnell 8,478]

please stick with the guidelines on the I-130 instructions for the 6 types of relationship evidence. There's some slush in there, for definition, so pay attention to that, also. (Yes, I want you to reread the instructions)

[DandT14 272]

please stick with the guidelines on the I-130 instructions for the 6 types of relationship evidence. There's some slush in there, for definition, so pay attention to that, also. (Yes, I want you to reread the instructions)

ok, I know it says that joint lease is on there. My question was more about timing. I never added him to the lease before (he's been there for almost 2 years) but is it worth it to add him now?

And thank you for directing me to read the instructions...it helped me find something else I'd been looking for.

[Darnell 8,478]

this is a casefile the two of you are filing. Do you want to follow directions, and generate the proper evidence?

or are you looking for some wiggle room, and pray you'll be ok ?

Choose one or the other, and standfast in your decision..

Sorry if I sound harsh, but this is a life-changing event (to file the AOS casefile) and you might want to make more time to generate this evidence.

[SOflaherty 40]

Ok, another question on the same topic. My husband is not on the lease. I never told my landlord he was here. I was thinking of just asking him to amend the lease now. Then at least I'll have it before the interview. Do you think it's worth it, or will it just be obvious that I was running around trying to collect evidence?

Honestly I would, only because I've seen posts recently where people were questioned why their SO wasn't on the lease during the interview and asked to send it in before the greencard would be approved. I understand where you are coming from though, when your spouse has overstayed it is near impossible to get them added to anything, particularly in certain states (Yeah Alabama, I'm talking about you..grrrr)

[DandT14 272]

this is a casefile the two of you are filing. Do you want to follow directions, and generate the proper evidence?

or are you looking for some wiggle room, and pray you'll be ok ?

Choose one or the other, and standfast in your decision..

Sorry if I sound harsh, but this is a life-changing event (to file the AOS casefile) and you might want to make more time to generate this evidence.

I don't think you understand my question. Or I don't understand your answer. In either case, thanks for the attempt.

Honestly I would, only because I've seen posts recently where people were questioned why their SO wasn't on the lease during the interview and asked to send it in before the greencard would be approved. I understand where you are coming from though, when your spouse has overstayed it is near impossible to get them added to anything, particularly in certain states (Yeah Alabama, I'm talking about you..grrrr)

I really just never thought it was worth the trouble. If I'd realized it might have been good evidence when we filed, I would have done it already. I think I will go ahead and ask the landlord to amend the lease...what could it hurt, right? Thanks.

[Darnell 8,478]

Thank you.

I keep changing my mind about how I want to approach it. I don't have pictures of the two of us together. Right now I'm thinking maybe I should just write something up explaining how things unfolded because without explanation, the dates look a bit odd. I'm not terribly worried about proving the relationship, if I have to, because we exchanged over 5000 emails over the years and I have them all (thank you Gmail!). But some of them (most of them!) would be a bit embarrassing to share.

IMO, you have two red flag events:

1. overstay on the Canadian rules for visiting the usa and

2. marriage soon after divorce.

1 can be forgiven , is usually forgiven, when the green card is awarded - it's part of the process, you won't hear anything about it.

2 on the other hand - strongly suggest you write a letter of explanation or letter of attestation, covering a timeline of events surrounding the divorce and move in and marriage.

and

The thing is, you can GENERATE the evidence that you need, for the submittal. It takes time, but you have time. It takes MONEY as well, in most cases (some entities now want a deposit when shifting to a joint account when the 2nd person has no usa credit history) . I say it's worth it, but I can understand the POV that it's such a hassle. All of us go through a hassle at some point, with varying degrees of pain factor.

Good Luck !

Edited April 28, 2012 by Darnell

[DandT14 272]

I just wanted to say that I called my landlord and told him the situation. He was so nice and immediately wrote up a new lease, didn't change the rent or anything, and added my husband to it.

Just a lesson in "it never hurts to ask"...

Now, on to the car insurance.