My marriage began as a sham

[olsan3 8]

So you are saying you married 2 years ago but never filed/ ? why? That's what immigration will want to know. Especially since he was already here illegally. So it already looks like he got married to get out of getting deported. especially with him moving.

No your situation isn't the first but not too many people want to admit they were used at first or scammed (not all sham marriages have a wink and a hand shake to commit fraud up front. At least you both knew what was up no one hurt).

well you did the best thing and get a lawyer. Be totally honest. I mean tell all.

exactly my point too.

[Cathi 5,784]

tell the truth,no matter what. ALWAYS

[Sam and Fen 41]

I'm not certain there's such a hope for approval, since the beneficiary works illegally.

I personally know of 2 cases where an USC has married some one who is here illegally/over stayed their visa and have worked here illegally and now have their GC.

[Darnell 8,479]

OK Sam..

[changeofheart 0]

We never filed because I became overwhelmed by the situation and wasn't following through on paperwork etc. Thats when we became estranged and seriously considering divorce or annulment.

I'm hoping that might actually look better than if we had filed before the marriage was legitimate?

As for him working, the lawyer said it wasn't a problem if he reports his income.

[AmyWrites 593]

You don't need a lawyer. You need a very good immigration lawyer, one who specializes in difficult cases. Go to immigrate2us.net for recommendations; people here always talk about Marc Ellis.

[Cathi 5,784]

I personally know of 2 cases where an USC has married some one who is here illegally/over stayed their visa and have worked here illegally and now have their GC.

it doesn't mean that the OP will get away with it...and it certainly isn't worth the risk of a ban

[Cathi 5,784]

We never filed because I became overwhelmed by the situation and wasn't following through on paperwork etc. Thats when we became estranged and seriously considering divorce or annulment.

I'm hoping that might actually look better than if we had filed before the marriage was legitimate?

As for him working, the lawyer said it wasn't a problem if he reports his income.

your case is a hot mess. The case in point is you married him for the sole purpose for him to gain immigration benefits, what happened after that is really just semantics. Your only hope is to contact a very good IMMIGRATION attorney and come clean about everything up front

[CaizLurol 36]

I'm asking that everyone keep an open mind as you read my predicament.

Two years ago I married my best friend because he had overstayed his visa and needed a green card. I knew he needed help and we were close enough that we figured we could live as roommates and friends for a few years to satisfy all the requirements. I'm not at all saying what we did was right, but I'm laying the situation out so you'll understand better. The whole thing was much more complicated than I was prepared for and the first year didn't go well, he ended up leaving the state after some tough immigration laws were passed. We went long periods without even communicating. We reconnected when he came to visit me and we began a legitimate romantic relationship. We're very happy together and truly love one another and want to be together. We're starting the immigration process but there are obviously a few kinks. For starters we still live in different states. I have a good job with benefits and I care for an elderly grandparent, all my family is here in this state. He's working out of state because he has no work permit and my state is very harsh on immigration. I visit once a month and my family is very supportive of the relationship. Our plan is to get him legal so we can live together in my home state near my family. He's very close with them as he has non of his own in the states.

I'm on his car, car insurance, utility bills, etc and he's listed as beneficiary on my life insurance. We've been saving boarding passes and receipts from my trips to see him. Our phone records show that we talk at least twice a day. The problem is that there's a year gap in our evidence. We don't want to fabricate anything because we're already on thin ice since we live apart. How do we explain the lack of photos or anything from that time? I'm worried now because it took so long to start this process that there will be too many red flags and he won't get approved.

SPEAK TO AN ATTORNEY. There are many good immigration lawyers that will give you free advice over the phone. SPEAK TO AN ATTORNEY AND ASK FOR ADVICE ON HOW TO PROCEED.

[JRF 117]

I think the comment about this being a hot mess is spot-on.

[Ban Hammer 13,508]

one post removed for personal insults, along with one post quoting. one member thread banned and additional admin action has been taken.
refrain from making personal attacks upon the op. if you cannot, vj moderation will assist you from making any posts at all for at least 24 hours.

[Darnell 8,479]

You don't need a lawyer. You need a very good immigration lawyer, one who specializes in difficult cases. Go to immigrate2us.net for recommendations; people here always talk about Marc Ellis.

Marc is a great attorney for visas.

Green Card Chasing, though? Unsure.

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

I'm not certain there's such a hope for approval, since the beneficiary works illegally.

Doesn't matter.

See INA § 245©(4).

Edited August 19, 2013 by Rebecca Jo

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

This thread is about how to lie about committing fraud and I think it should be closed as a violation of the TOS. Your "cold feet" story is a bold faced lie.

Chill axe, out, girl.

it doesn't mean that the OP will get away with it...and it certainly isn't worth the risk of a ban

What is this "getting away with it" stuff?

[Darnell 8,479]

See INA § 245©(4).

Ah! Aha ! Cool. Thanks !