If I’m married to a US citizen and have been in the us for over 10 years, how do Igain legal status?
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If I’m married to a US citizen and have been in the us for over 10 years, how do Igain legal status?
Asked on November 13, 2012 under Immigration Law, Texas
Answers:
Harun Kazmi / Kazmi and Sakata Attorneys at Law
Answered 11 years ago | Contributor
This will depend on how you entered the US. If you entered lawfully under some nonimmigrant visa, you can apply for your Residency/Green Card. The process will take about 3 to 4 months.
If you entered without inspection, there is no easy way to correct your status. If you were brought here illegally, you cannot obtain any status (unless the laws change). There is an existing exception that permits the filing of a penalty ($1,000), if you have had a previous family or employment based case filed by 04/30/2001. Has anyone in your family filed such a case? Otherwise, you must go through a consulate process and be subject to a 10 year bar.
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