Navigating Green Card Backlog with Potential Marriage - Seeking Advice

[Lily_SD 0]

I currently reside and work in California and am under a green card process sponsored by my company. My I-140 is approved, but I am stuck in a three-year backlog to file my I-485, due to being from one of the backlogged countries (India, China, Philippines, Mexico).

 

My immigration lawyer mentioned a potential solution: marrying a person not born in these countries could allow me to use their country of birth for filing and bypass the backlog. I have met some wonderful gentlemen who are interested in a relationship, but I am hesitant to pursue marriage primarily for the sake of expediting my green card process.

 

I am torn and would appreciate any insights or experiences from those who might have faced similar decisions. Is it worth considering marriage under these circumstances, or should I explore other options?

 

Thank you in advance for your help!

[Edward and Jaycel 462]

Marrying for the purpose of receiving an immigration benefit is considered fraud and has severe consequences. (Case denial,being removed from the country, forever having a "Fraud" marker on your immigration record, etc.) Not to mention that entering into a marriage for anything other than love is a recipe for stress, heartache, abuse.... (In my opinion) I strongly urge you to practice patience in your immigration journey and do not try to take shortcuts. USCIS is really good at sniffing out these kinds of things.

[Edward and Jaycel 462]

1 hour ago, Lily_SD said:

My immigration lawyer mentioned a potential solution: marrying a person not born in these countries could allow me to use their country of birth for filing and bypass the backlog.

 

And the fact that your immigration lawyer suggested this course of action should set off all kinds of alarm bells for you. I would be looking for a new immigration attorney if I were in your shoes.

[Lily_SD 0]

25 minutes ago, Edward and Jaycel said:

 

And the fact that your immigration lawyer suggested this course of action should set off all kinds of alarm bells for you. I would be looking for a new immigration attorney if I were in your shoes.

Thank you for your information and comments—I agree with most of what you said. You’ve shared some good thoughts. If I ever get married, it will be a genuine marriage made with serious consideration and with the right person.

 

For context, my ex, who was born and raised in the U.S., proposed to me four times during our 11-year relationship. What I’m trying to convey is that I view marriage as something far more serious and important than other factors. I would never get married solely for benefits like immigration. To be honest, I don’t really need to do that.

 

Lately, I’ve been feeling like I want to settle down. I think I’m a bit tired of being single. Other things, like backlog or loneliness, occasionally cross my mind, but they’re not the main drivers.

 

The only thing I don’t agree with is the statement that “entering into a marriage for anything other than love is a recipe for disaster.” To me, love is just a fleeting illusion based on physiology. Everyone defines and interprets it differently, and feelings constantly change. I wouldn’t marry for love. I would marry for the person himself and his qualities and characteristics, like responsibility, integrity, care, intelligence, and so on.

[Edward and Jaycel 462]

3 minutes ago, Lily_SD said:

I would marry for the person himself and his qualities and characteristics, like responsibility, integrity, care, intelligence, and so on.

 

And that is my definition of love - You find the person with the qualities that draw you to them and you realize that you don't want to live a day without them ( Semantics? Possibly, but we all define it in our own way. I just choose to use the term love for that)  I wish you the best!

[SalishSea 18,117]

4 hours ago, Lily_SD said:

I currently reside and work in California and am under a green card process sponsored by my company. My I-140 is approved, but I am stuck in a three-year backlog to file my I-485, due to being from one of the backlogged countries (India, China, Philippines, Mexico).

 

My immigration lawyer mentioned a potential solution: marrying a person not born in these countries could allow me to use their country of birth for filing and bypass the backlog. I have met some wonderful gentlemen who are interested in a relationship, but I am hesitant to pursue marriage primarily for the sake of expediting my green card process.

 

I am torn and would appreciate any insights or experiences from those who might have faced similar decisions. Is it worth considering marriage under these circumstances, or should I explore other options?

 

Thank you in advance for your help!

Your lawyer is advising you to do a fraud.   Not smart.