Legalization through Marriage

Hi all,

The majority of you do not remember me, I used to visit this site daily and even the prior forum with inquisitor and etc. Though I didnt post much, I was active in call senators, representatives and also in my community. However, when I was 18 and after waiting for 4 or 5 years, I decided to marry my long time GF.

Soon (like a week after I received my papers), I was offered a job, and I have been working, driving and etc. ever since. It's really crazy, you get that piece of paper and you can suddenly do everything we've wanted to do; work, travel and etc., even going to a club which used to be somewhat embarrassing (using a passport) makes the little things so much more.

Anyways, I want to give anybody willing to listen advice; do everything you can and take as much opportunities as possible; Immigration is political ball being punted around, and especially the way things are going with many of the moderate Reps. who once supported the DA stepping down, it looks as though no form of immigration will pass soon. So if you have a GF/ BF and trust them let them know about your sit. and if you love them, marry them.

Also, education wise; dont give up be the best student you can be in Texas and other states I know undocumented students can receive financial aid, use it and educate yourself, because you will not always be undocumented, whether you become legalized or you move, your education is literally your ticket to a brighter tomorrow.

If you guys have any questions about the marriage route please feel free to email.

Happy New Year!
Hope you all get what you need want this year.

Thanks for posting..it's nice to hear when a dreamer makes it to the other side..=)

What if I married someone who has a GC but is not a USC?

Good luck to you and please don't forget your roots. Once you become a citizen, don't look down on others and for god's sake, don't vote Republican!

Carnivore, I asked my lawyer that like 10 years ago. He told me no, has to be a citizen.

if you marry a citizen i heard you have to go back to home country for 5 - 10- years. is this true.

Glad to hear from you and am happy ur doing good. Happy new year.

Only if you are an EWI - Entry Without Permission, aka crossed the border.

Correct me if I'm wrong, though.

Depends on the situation of the person and if under 245i.

If the marriage is *bona fide* for purposes of adjustment then an individual should be able to.There was a time not too long ago that the visa bulletin allowed adjustment under ~1 year but that takes approx. ~3 years now.


@Ethos,USCIS usually excuses unlawful presence for immediate relatives where the petitioner is a US citizen.It is for this reason alone why spouse applications are so highlighted or some say 'marriage is the only option' on adjusting on US soil.Visa overstays do not have to leave the US for purposes of gaining a Green card through an immediate relative.....in this case a spouse !

Thanks everybody.

From my understanding a GC holder can file for their spouse, however their petition would not be placed on priority (so it wont take 6 months or less).

This is where a good lawyer comes in handy because it's not so cut and dry.

If you overstayed your visa, I think you can readjust your status without any issues after marriage.

If you are 245i eligible (roughly you were here before 2000 AND someone had sponsored you and you paid a fine) you can readjust it.

If you came here illegally and/or ordered deported then you gotta go back.

There is one final bit of mystery that can apparently work for some people where if you were "excluded" - again not a lawyer but my understanding is you were detained at the border without actually coming in the US thus not entering without permission, you can request to get your case reopened and they can say yes or no and then readjust your status but I believe this is for people who came prior to 1995 and your lawyer really better know his/her shit to pull it off.