Does USCIS contact Ex-spouse? (Naturalization after Divorce)

[*FishF00D* 45]

I entered the country on a K1 visa and was married to my USC spouse; I'd received my conditional Green Card, and we ended up divorcing within a few years. I applied for (and received) my 10-year Green Card with a divorce waiver, and have recently applied for Naturalization.

 

My question is: During the naturalization process, how likely is it that USCIS will dredge back into the details of my previous marriage - or more pointedly, how likely are they to contact my ex-spouse?

 

Our relationship ended with divorce because he was abusive, an alcoholic/addict, and wouldn't stop cheating on me. At various points he threatened to take his life and threatened the safety of others, and I almost got a restraining order but feared that it would have actually pushed him over the edge and led to violence. He's historically been unstable and expressed vindictiveness toward those who wrong him in some way, so I can't predict his behavior.

 

I cut off contact with him over a year ago, but he's recently found a way to reach out to me -- and I'm afraid that if I don't respond to him (or otherwise tell him to leave me alone), that there's some way he might be able to meddle with my immigration status. I don't know if this is a grounded fear (whether USCIS would even contact him to verify information about me for any reason) so I would really appreciate it if anyone has any guidance as to whether an ex-spouse remains relevant to naturalization after receiving a GC under the divorce waiver.

 

Thank you, all.

[Mike E 11,739]

4 minutes ago, *FishF00D* said:

My question is: During the naturalization process, how likely is it that USCIS will dredge back into the details of my previous marriage - or more pointedly, how likely are they to contact my ex-spouse?

Given you entered on a K-1, a visa that is dual intent, I estimate less than 1 in 1000 odds that USCIS contacts your previous spouse.

 

fwiw, my ex was not contacted when I naturalized nor when my second wife naturalized.

 

Even if was probable USCIS contacted your ex, that should not dissuade you from naturalizing. 

[Chancy 6,241]

4 hours ago, *FishF00D* said:

During the naturalization process, how likely is it that USCIS will dredge back into the details of my previous marriage - or more pointedly, how likely are they to contact my ex-spouse?

 

Highly unlikely, but still possible.  Recent report below --

 

 

[Ontarkie 14,215]

It is not likely they will contact your ex. They may ask about the divorce as you did receive your GC through marriage or they may not even look twice at anything. 

Any chance your divorce mentions abuse?  

If he is starting to harrass you again get a restraining order now. Block his number/email or however he contacts you. Don't let him back in, but also protect yourself. 

[*FishF00D* 45]

45 minutes ago, Ontarkie said:

It is not likely they will contact your ex. They may ask about the divorce as you did receive your GC through marriage or they may not even look twice at anything. 

Any chance your divorce mentions abuse?  

If he is starting to harrass you again get a restraining order now. Block his number/email or however he contacts you. Don't let him back in, but also protect yourself. 

The divorce agreement/judgement papers don't mention abuse (there's no info included/necessary in the state we lived in as to why the divorce was sought) but now that you mention it, my removal of conditions application did include information about the abuse; I ended up including an lengthy attestation of the timeline of our relationship (including descriptions of abusive behaviors/cheating etc) and also included letters from my therapist at the time - as well as my case manager at the domestic abuse shelter/agency I sought help from.

 

Maybe if USCIS needed to verify data they would be more likely to contact †hose individuals & other references rather than my ex with all that in mind then?

[*FishF00D* 45]

1 hour ago, Chancy said:

 

Highly unlikely, but still possible.  Recent report below --

 

 

I've come to accept that literally anything is possible these days. I feel sorry for OP on that thread, sounds like a challenging, powerless situation.

[*FishF00D* 45]

5 hours ago, Mike E said:

Given you entered on a K-1, a visa that is dual intent, I estimate less than 1 in 1000 odds that USCIS contacts your previous spouse.

 

fwiw, my ex was not contacted when I naturalized nor when my second wife naturalized.

 

Even if was probable USCIS contacted your ex, that should not dissuade you from naturalizing. 

Much appreciated! Definitely not dissuaded from naturalizing, I applied in Nov. Given how intimately related these traumas have been with my visa status I'm looking forward to a future where I can keep the life I've built but don't have to deal with USCIS again and can put all of the pain behind me.

[Ontarkie 14,215]

1 hour ago, *FishF00D* said:

The divorce agreement/judgement papers don't mention abuse (there's no info included/necessary in the state we lived in as to why the divorce was sought) but now that you mention it, my removal of conditions application did include information about the abuse; I ended up including an lengthy attestation of the timeline of our relationship (including descriptions of abusive behaviors/cheating etc) and also included letters from my therapist at the time - as well as my case manager at the domestic abuse shelter/agency I sought help from.

 

Maybe if USCIS needed to verify data they would be more likely to contact †hose individuals & other references rather than my ex with all that in mind then?

Good move with the abuse documentation. 

I really don't think they will have any contact with him. 

[Dashinka 24,479]

I agree with @Ontarkie, and @Mike E, I think it is highly unlikely that USCIS will try to contact your ex-spouse- particularly given the documentation that was included in the ROC.

 

Good Luck!

[*FishF00D* 45]

2 hours ago, Dashinka said:

I agree with @Ontarkie, and @Mike E, I think it is highly unlikely that USCIS will try to contact your ex-spouse- particularly given the documentation that was included in the ROC.

 

Good Luck!

 

Thank you!

 

During the breakup process there were points where he was trying to be "nice," and at one point he actually provided me with an attestation letter of his own for the ROC, verifying that the marriage was entered into in good faith and owning up to some of his behaviors. I've wondered if there being a letter from him in the ROC opens the door to him being contacted further -- but given the context it seems more apparent that contacting him could be unreliable given the abusive behaviors and history of drugs/alcohol etc.

[JeanneAdil 6,489]

If USCIS thought to  contact ex ,  they would have done that for ROC for the 10 year green card

 

[Dashinka 24,479]

11 minutes ago, *FishF00D* said:

 

Thank you!

 

During the breakup process there were points where he was trying to be "nice," and at one point he actually provided me with an attestation letter of his own for the ROC, verifying that the marriage was entered into in good faith and owning up to some of his behaviors. I've wondered if there being a letter from him in the ROC opens the door to him being contacted further -- but given the context it seems more apparent that contacting him could be unreliable given the abusive behaviors and history of drugs/alcohol etc.

I doubt it.  Since they approved the ROC with the letter in there, and since your ex provided a great deal of evidence at the AOS stage.  What are they going to ask him?  Personally I would not worry about it, but it is good you are thinking about all the possibilities.

 

Good Luck!

[*FishF00D* 45]

1 minute ago, Dashinka said:

I doubt it.  Since they approved the ROC with the letter in there, and since your ex provided a great deal of evidence at the AOS stage.  What are they going to ask him?  Personally I would not worry about it, but it is good you are thinking about all the possibilities.

 

Good Luck!

 

Yeah I have no idea what they could possibly ask really, I just needed some affirmation from the experience of this community about this situation before taking action!

 

There was a long time in navigating the divorce (and while ROC was pending) where I wanted to cut him out of my life/block him on everything because of the way he behaved and spoke to me, but based on my past experiences with him I was scared that he could have physically hurt me or "gone back" on his testimony about our marriage out of spite (very much an "if I can't have you then no one can" energy).

 

He was super manipulative of me and had a true Jekyl/Hyde personality, so it took a long time to detach safely. I'm finally at a point where I feel safe enough to verbalize firm boundaries - but I wanted to be as sure as I can of what risk that might pose to my status if his personality flips.

 

Thank you so much for the support and positive words!