Fort Lauderdale, FL Immigration Law Firms & Lawyers

You may petition for your second wife immediately. Recently the FB-2a category was close to current so I would recommend this in case it jumps forward again. In any case the first stage is identical to what is required once you become a U.S. citizen so you are getting that stage out of the way. If you become a U.S. citizen before her Priority Date is current you can upgrade the case easily to immediate relative. For each and every marital filing the burden is on you to prove your current marriage is in good faith. Unless the government determined that your first marriage was fraudulent there is no need to include this evidence but you will be noting the name and date of birth of child. The five year rule you may be thinking of is that you may not file for citizenship until 4 years and 9 months after you became a PR - 90 days before your 5 year anniversary (It would have been 2 years and 9 months if you were still married to a USC). If we can help you with the permanent residency process for your current wife, contact me for a quote on fees, procedures, and timing.

Yes, why were you not included in her application for permanent residence as her dependent? She can also apply for you separately as you entered the US lawfully and have now overstayed, but since you are under 21, and she is a US citizen, you are deemed to be an "immediate relative" and your overstay and any unauthorized employment is forgiven under INA section 245(a). Consult with an immigration attorney now. File immediately.

Whether your cousin can wait for her residence here when her stepfather files for her depends upon a few things. First, is he a US citizen or permanent resident? Being a US citizen has a couple of advantages in a shorter waiting period and the ability to sponsor immediate relatives (spouses, parents, and children under the age of 21 and unmarried) and have them adjust status in the US if they entered legally and are not otherwise barred from immigrating to this country. Second, is  when the stepchild relationship was created. The immigration laws recognize the stepparent – stepchild relationship for immigration purposes only if the marriage creating the step relationship occurred prior to the child turning the age of 18. Third is the age and visa status of your cousin – if the above conditions are fulfilled and your cousin under the age of 21 at the time that the I-485 adjustment of status papers are filed, your cousin would be allowed to stay during the time of the adjudication. If 21 or older at the time of contemplated filing, her stepfather would only be able to file an I-130 petition for alien relative, and she would only be able to stay legally if she had a valid nonimmigrant status during the period of waiting which would be approximately 7-8 years. On the question of travel, there are two answers – if she is eligible for adjustment of status through form I-485 and such is filed, she would only be able to leave the country and reenter under advance parole or a nonimmigrant visa in the H or L categories. If not eligible to adjust but the step relationship is established before the age of 18 and the stepfather files an I-130 petition for alien relative, she could be allowed to travel to the US for short and infrequent visits during the pendency of her case under a B visiting visa. Due to the limitations of the Lawyers.com Forums, Alan Lee, Esq.'s (the "Firm") participation in responding to questions posted herein does not constitute legal advice, nor legal representation of the person or entity posting a question. No Attorney/Client relationship is or shall be construed to be created hereby. The information provided herein by the Firm is general, and requires that the poster obtain specific legal advice from an attorney. The poster shall not rely upon the information provided herein as legal advice nor as the basis for making any decisions of legal consequence.