If the foreign spouse's family doesn't know about the US Spouse is that a red flag even if the relationship is genuine?

[AlwaysStressed 0]

Could it raise a red flag with USCIS if the foreign spouse comes from a strict cultural background (with privacy concerns) and their family is unaware of the U.S. spouse? Could this become an issue during the Consulate interview, particularly if they ask why the U.S. spouse's family is aware of the relationship, but the foreign spouse's family is not or seems disinterested in that part of the foreign spouse's life?

 

 

[Lemonslice 5,024]

It could be, depends a lot on the context.  If they don't know because they are not in contact, it is what it is.  

 

However, when the relationship does not seem genuine (only for immigration purposes), officers sometimes investigate.  They have called/visited friends and family to verify that so and so were married.  

 

A while back, there was a story about the family revealing that the immigrant was married, not to Ms. American, but to his cousin.  I'll post the link if I find it.  

[SalishSea 18,276]

Yes, for sure.

[AlwaysStressed 0]

19 hours ago, Lemonslice said:

It could be, depends a lot on the context.  If they don't know because they are not in contact, it is what it is.  

 

However, when the relationship does not seem genuine (only for immigration purposes), officers sometimes investigate.  They have called/visited friends and family to verify that so and so were married.  

 

A while back, there was a story about the family revealing that the immigrant was married, not to Ms. American, but to his cousin.  I'll post the link if I find it.  

The foreign spouse lives with immediate family but isn't close due to years of neglect, cultural differences, and bullying. They prefer to cite cultural differences/privacy concerns if asked, avoiding in-depth discussion. The US spouse is aware of this and has witnessed it via video calls. They also have evidence the foreign spouse was never married before and they have known each other for a long time. The marriage is genuine. The US citizen’s family knows and approves of the marriage.

 

Surely, this can’t still raise suspicion or denial? It’s difficult for the foreign spouse to discuss, and privacy regarding past traumas should be respected.

 

Many US marriages follow similiar patterns (elopement/estrangement)...

[Dashinka 24,994]

1 hour ago, AlwaysStressed said:

The foreign spouse lives with immediate family but isn't close due to years of neglect, cultural differences, and bullying. They prefer to cite cultural differences/privacy concerns if asked, avoiding in-depth discussion. The US spouse is aware of this and has witnessed it via video calls. They also have evidence the foreign spouse was never married before and they have known each other for a long time. The marriage is genuine. The US citizen’s family knows and approves of the marriage.

 

Surely, this can’t still raise suspicion or denial? It’s difficult for the foreign spouse to discuss, and privacy regarding past traumas should be respected.

 

Many US marriages follow similiar patterns (elopement/estrangement)...

As you stated, it tends to be more of a cultural thing.  Most of the time, the importance that the spouses know what is going on is much more important than the extended families knowing.  I suppose there are some cultures where what the extended families know carries some weight, but there are exceptions to that as well (think same sex marriage in cultures that don’t accept that).  Personally, I would not be worried about it as you stated.

 

Good Luck!

[JeanneAdil 6,727]

yes, could be 

red flag issues under the following there is secret marriage along with cultural differences 

sorry did not know this issue about the family not knowing when addressing other post

 

https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/red-flags-that-make-uscis-suspect-marriage-fraud.html

[Ryan H 3,835]

Moved from Progress Reports to Process & Procedures.