Hello everyone!
My husband and I filed joint petition to remove conditions on my green card in February 2024. I got an extension notice for 48 months from USCIS. The same month after we jointly filed our marriage started collapsing and there is also evidence of financial and technological abuse towards me and threats to divorce me if I don't do certain things. In January 2025 I could have being eligible for applying for my citizenship under 3 year rule but the chances of divorce before that are extremely high. I was advised by several lawyers to proceed with a Battery or Extreme Cruelty Waiver since I fall under Extreme Cruelty part and have bank statements and other documents proving financial abuse + technological abuse (stalking). However I am still missing some hard evidence such as psychological evaluation and affidavits from witnesses of the abuse which are crucial to prove Extreme Cruelty under this waiver. I can do psychological evaluation but it's gonna cost $2300 + legal fees for filing this waiver is $5000 and possible expenses down the road if I get RFE and obligatory amendment of i-751 in case we actually get divorced which costs $1500. It's extremely important for me to get my citizenship ASAP preferably under 3 year rule to be able to file for my relative's green card hence the abuse and threats by my husband because he's completely aware of that and uses my immigration status to gain control over me.
So my question is - is it worth it to actually file for Extreme Cruelty waiver + Divorce Waiver and dig deeper, pay for necessary lacking evidence such as medical reports and file for Naturalization while my case is pending hoping that it might be expedited due to combo interview (i-751 under extreme cruelty +N400) or should I just give up that idea and file with a Divorce Waiver solely and wait 5 years to get citizenship?
As far as I understood and some cases that I found on this forum - even though people who file with Extreme Cruelty waiver are exempt from waiting for 5 years to be eligible for N400 might still be delayed and finally get approved in 2-3 years when their 5 years residency hits. In that cases I feel bad for people because I feel like the abuse waiver was unnecessary step and they could have just filed with Divorce Waiver and save money on lawyers.
My i-751 case is really solid considering the fact that we a child born into the marriage, have joint everything, photos, insurance, affidavits from friends etc. So I have PLENTY of evidence of bona fide marriage but I would need to pay for psych evaluation or Extreme Cruelty waiver.
Do you think it's worth it? What are my chances of getting approved ASAP in case I file for Extreme Cruelty then add divorce grounds and then file for N400 under 3y rule when my case is pending?