Can an immigrant become a US citizen if married?

Answer 1

No, an alien or immigrant, legal or otherwise, does not become a citizen automatically upon marriage to a citizen. There is a process of applying, processing and (hopefully) eventual approval by the Federal government. First is Permanent Residency status ("Green card"). Then there's a wait of 3 years or more - depending on situation - for citizenship qualification. The website for the agency which handles this process is: USCIS.GOV

Current illegal status may add some complications which I don't know about; it may be wise to consult an Immigration attorney - a lawyer who specializes in immigration issues. There are lots of other web sites which give more information as well.

An illegal alien does not automatically become a citizen by marrying one. However, certain illegal aliens can get permanent residence status (often called the "green card") by marrying a US citizen. If the person originally entered the United States legally but overstayed his or her visa, than it is possible for him or her to "adjust status" to that of a permanent resident (i.e. get a "green card") if the US citizen fills out a series of petitions including one that proves that the US citizen can financially support the alien. If the alien is illegal because he or she snuck into the United States without any visa or permit, than that person cannot "adjust status" and has to leave the country before obtaining a green card. If the person was illegally in the country for more than a year, than he or she is barred from ever coming back for 10 years (known as the "10-year-bar") The only way to overcome having the 10-year-bar is by the US citizen spouse filing a petition for a waiver of the bar. The petition has to prove that it would cause extreme and exceptional hardship to him or her to move to his or her spouse's country. Only three years after the person has the green card can they apply for citizenship, and they must still be married to the original citizen who got the green card.

If you are convinced that he is "the one," than you should seriously consider marrying him. Once you are married you can start the process by filing the I-130. once it is approved, he will have to go back to Mexico for an interview to get his visa at the American consulate in Ciudad Juarez. He will be denied the visa because he was illegaly present in the US for over a year. At that time, he will be instructed to file the I-601. You will have to present evidence proving that you could not live in Mexico. This would include evidence of medical problems you may have, financial obligations in the US, familial obligations (i.e. caring for aging parents or disabled relatives.) and anything else that would make it impossible for you to move to Mexico. You have to prove that the hardship would be ABOVE and BEYOND the hardship that could be obviously expected. This means that the fact that you love him and "can't live without him" would not mean SQUAT to the case. The good news is that 90% of I-601s that are filed at Ciudad Juarez are approved. If you are serious about your boyfriend and plan to marry him and go through the long process of getting him his greencard, than you might want to talk to an immigration lawyer about your options. You should also pop into immigrate2us.net. Post under the I-601 section in the "waivers" category.

Answer 2

No, an alien or immigrant, legal or otherwise, does not become a citizen automatically upon marriage to a citizen. There is a process of applying, processing and (hopefully) eventual approval by the Federal government. First is Permanent Residency status ("Green card"). Then there's a wait of 3 years or more - depending on situation - for citizenship qualification. The website for the agency which handles this process is: USCIS.GOV

An illegal alien does not automatically become a citizen by marrying one. However, certain illegal aliens can get permanent residence status (often called the "green card") by marrying a US citizen. If the person originally entered the United States legally but overstayed his or her visa, than it is possible for him or her to "adjust status" to that of a permanent resident (i.e. get a "green card") if the US citizen fills out a series of petitions including one that proves that the US citizen can financially support the alien. If the alien entered illegally into the United States without any visa or permit, than that person cannot "adjust status" and has to leave the country before obtaining a green card. If the person was illegally in the country for more than a year, than he or she is barred from ever coming back for 10 years (known as the "10-year-bar") The only way to overcome having the 10-year-bar is by the US citizen spouse filing a petition for a waiver of the bar. The petition has to prove that it would cause extreme and exceptional hardship to him or her to move to his or her spouse's country. Only three years after the person has the green card can they apply for citizenship, and they must still be married to the original citizen who got the green card.

Answer 3

There is a lot of paperwork involved! Even if you married a US resident or even citizen that does not make you a us citizen. In fact, you could get into a lot of trouble if they deem that you purposely entered the US to get married to become a US citizen. Although it is possible. Your spouse would have to be a permanent resident or US citizen for you to become a permanent resident. The US prefers you marry (in our out of the US) then the permanent resident or citizen applies for your entry OR the US citizen of Permanent Resident applies before for you to enter the US and then you get married in the US and apply for Permanent residency.

Great site I found as my husband immigrated from the UK on a Fiance visa.

www.visajourney.com

but what if you don't have a date of birth

I also, and may be wrong, but if it is deemed that you married to create a citizenship or legal residency, that might be unlawful and you could get into trouble. Though, a lot of military marry women in foreign lands which brings them here. Which is a lot different then someone unlawfully doing so. The US doesn't exactly make it a point to extradite spouses.

Answer 4

No, not at all. If an illegal alien marries a U.S. citizen, the U.S. citizen is allowed in the U.S., there partner is not unless they do it the correct way and get a visa. If the illegal alien stays in the U.S., they risk getting deported, especially since the U.S. is cracking down on Illegal Aliens entering the U.S now.

In order to apply for U.S. Citizenship you need to:

1) Be a lawful permanent U.S. resident.

2) Be 18 years of age or older.

3) Be a permanent resident for no less than 5 years.

4) Have resided for no less than 3 months in the state where the petition to become a citizen was filed.

5) Be physically present in the U.S. for at least one half of the 5 years, with no absences longer than 6 months.

6) Have resided continuously within the U.S. from the date the petition was filed to the time of admission to citizenship.

7) Have been a person of good moral character for the 5 years of residence.

8) Have an Elementary level of reading and writing English.

9) Having a basic knowledge of the fundamentals of U.S. government and history.

Answer 5

no he/she would still have to do paperwork and do all the background checks,border crossing stuff, and legal us citizen papers.

Ex: if a cat wants to be a dog it cant just marry a dog and instantly be a dog too,

Answer 6

no,but the us citizen can help the immigrant become legal.

Answer 7

If I Marry An Illegal From Mexico Can He Become A Citizen