? about girlfriend's status

lukey

New Member
I am looking to marry my girlfriend, who is completely illegal. No documents. We have been togethe for over 1 year. Please advise on what steps I need to take. Does she need to go back to her country and take steps, or can we start here?

Thanks in advance..
 
She entered illegally, not sure where to go from here. We really want to move forward but not sure what to do. I am a U.S citizen, she would go forward and get married at city hall? Not sure? Any help would be great...
 
by the way, if she is illegally here over 6 months, she is barred from reentry for 3 years. if over 1 year, she is barred for 10 years. If she leaves country and even if she has valid fiancee visa (K visa), she is subject to this 3-10 rule.

occasionally (maybe once every 5-10 years), BCIS allows you to pay $1000 penalty to waive condition (2). I am not familiar with this, just heard of.
 
Even if anyone wanted to marry an "illegal" they couldn't? They have to return to the country and take that route?
 
I am in the similar situation. I am researching what is the best option. Perhaps we can gather some info and share them here. Here is my background.

I married (back in 1999) to a Mexican lady after I got my GC back in Canada. Since she came to US (on business) in 2001, she stay with me in hope to get H1 or special visa for NAFTA countries (can't remember) without luck. Subsequently, she attempt to get a F-1 so we can stay together in US. But the F-1 visa was rejected.

While she is waiting for her F-1 approval, I filed the I-130 petition for her. Now, she is here without status since the denial of F-1 visa. And from what I can see, the I-130 will go nowhere for Mexican or >10 years (what a waste of one's life). We decided that it is best for her to stay cause she will never be able to visit me while I-130 is still pending --- waiting for a Visa number to become available.

Now, in 2004, I am ready to apply for citizenship (will go for my fingerprint in two weeks) and hope to get her status striaghten out once and for all. My concern is that even as a citizen, her I-130 and I-485 (when filed later) may still be denied due to her out-of-status issue.

Question: Is it best to stay and try from here first? OR go back to Mexico and go through the I-129F and K-3 process?

If you know of anyone who have been in this situation, please share with us. Thank you sooo much.
 
Since she entered without inspection she is not eligible to adjust in the United States unless she is eligible for 245(i).
 
245(i)

From what I can see. If Lukey marry the lady in US first and then apply for her status change, she will be considered as "immediate family" and therefore except from the 245 ineligible category.

245(i) will apply if they are NOT married while apply for status change.

Jim, did I understand the law correctly?
 
Nope. 245i is only applicable to those that have filed an application for a GC prior to April 30, 2001. Marriage to a USC waives illegal presence and illegal employment but it does NOT waive EWI (Entry Without Inspection).
 
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