Okemos, MI Immigration Law Firms & Lawyers

It is possible that the embassy is confused concerning your friend’s request, and thus is asking him or her to get an attorney to help process the B1/B2 visa. Usually, these types of visa applications do not require legal assistance. An attorney, however, can guide an applicant to the right type of paperwork and documents that can be considered by a consular officer. Due to the limitations of the Lawyers.com Forums, Alan Lee & Arthur Lee, Esqs.’ (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.  

The obligation to pay US taxes isn't related to whether you're in the country on a valid visa or not. The family you work for should have given you a Form W-2. That contains all the information you need to file your taxes. Take an hour and fill out the tax form on TurboTax (it should be free). You might have to file it by mail because the password to access email filing comes from your return from last year and you probably didn't file last year.

The first thing to take care of is your legal status. Filing for removal of conditions on a green card must be done within the 3 months before the expiration date of the conditional green card, not sooner, not later. Generally, the U.S. spouse has to sign the papers; and you must show that you and your US spouse are living together (not just remain legally married). From what you stated in your question, you cannot apply successfully even if your husband changes his mind and agrees to cooperate: you will not be able to satisfy the living together requirement. In certain situations, the conditional resident spouse can apply without the U.S. spouse's cooperation. Under the circumstances you described, you should qualify. However, to apply for removal of conditions under this provision of law, you need to be divorced from your husband. The deadline for removal of conditions is excused if you apply after a divorce, but it makes sense to do it as soon as possible so you do not have to walk around with an expired green card (your driver's license is likely set to expire on the same date, and you would not be able to renew it until you get a permanent green card). The process is complicated and highly technical. I would not recommend doing it on your own. I understand your reluctance to divorce your husband. But you need to understand that it is your only way to retain your permanent residency. Also, if you divorce your husband and obtain a permanent green card independently of him, it might wake him up from the pipe dreams that he has you at his mercy. An attitude adjustment can lead to a restoration of your family on a healthier grounds.