Legal Question in Immigration Law in California

What are my future options in getting my permanent residency?

I entered the US with the H2B visa in 2005. The visa was issued for 6 months and after it expired I remained in the country.

In 2006 I got married however I did not apply for change of status based on marriage. I remained married for 2 years.

In November 2011 I met my second wife. In July 2012 we got married. In August of that same year we applied for change of status with USCIS based on marriage. We filled out application paperwork on our own. In November 2012 we went for our first immigration interview. The interview went well and it lasted for 20 minutes.

In January 2013 we got called for a second interview which we attended without an attorney. The second interview lasted for 5 hours and we were questioned separately. There was pressure on both of us to admit that the marriage was false, however neither one of us admitted to it because we got married in good faith and loved each other. Following the interview our application was rejected. We were not given any specific reasons as to why.

We then decided to hire an immigration attorney and apply for an appeal.

In April 2013, as instructed by an immigration attorney, my wife had applied the I-130 appeal.

In April 2014 my work permit gets extended.

In July 2014 we received a letter from USCIS indicating that our appeal was dismissed. The reason given was "the combination of these deficiencies and insufficient evidence of a joint life does not satisfy the petitioner�s burden to demonstrate that she and the beneficiary entered into bona fide marriage.

Our decision does not preclude the petitioner from filing a new visa petition on behalf of the beneficiary. See 8.C.F.R. & 204.2(a).

�Order: The appeal is dismissed."

The facts about my marriage.

Everything was going well following our wedding day. We had a little arguments here and there.

In January 2013, a week after our second interview, she gets arrested for possession and using drags and paraphernalia. I then paid for her bail bond and I get her out of jail. However, she continues to use drugs which causes us to argue more and more. In May 2013 we decided that it's best if no longer live together. In June 2013 I received a letter from the Sheriff's office for her immediate arrest. I then realized that she is living a double life.

In October 2013 the police comes to my house (I am renting a room in this house) to arrest my wife. Instead, I get arrested by immigration but I get released the same day, without any paperwork given.

In December 2013 I get a call from my wife telling me that she is in jail and she asks me if I can bail her out again. The bail bond was for 200,000 according to the bail bond agency. I could not bail her out of jail this time because I could not afford to pay her bail bond. This time she was in jail for identity theft.

That same month I received a phone call from a police detective who tells me that my wife had tried to apply for a credit card in my name without my knowledge and approval.

In January 2014 I receive a call from a collection agency and I realized that my identity was stolen. Upon receiving a report from a collection agency I realized that my wife had rented an apartment in my name without my knowledge or consent. There is police reports that indicate the same. Currently we do not live together.

I have informed my immigration attorney of all these events. However he had instructed me not to file for divorce until my immigration appeal goes through.


Asked on 8/03/14, 10:45 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys

Rahul Manchanda, Esq. Manchanda Law Office PLLC

Please call me at (212) 968-8600. Kind regards, RDM

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Answered on 8/03/14, 11:33 pm
Marlene Hemmings Marlene Hemmings, Attorney at Law

Your case is far too complex to give you a quick answer within this forum. However, your attorney is correct in that if your appeal is still pending, you need to remain legally married, unless you can file as a battered spouse, which you probably do not qualify for.

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Answered on 8/04/14, 11:29 am


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