Q: How could i bocome legal?
My family immigrated to the US back in 2003 we all had tourist visas, we acquired them back in 2001, they are now expired and of course i over stayed the 6 month allowed, i have now turned 19 and will graduate high school in a month, reality came and i realized the importance of being legal. How could i become legal, i will marry my girlfriend very soon she was born here, is there a way i could achieve legalization?
A:
Yes, it is very possible to put you into status as a permanent resident based on marriage to your U.S. citizen fiancee. It will help to know your nationality and how you entered. If you still have your passport and entry stamps, please keep them in a safe place. It is a good idea to talk to a qualified immigration attorney prior to marriage to help sort out a path to legalization.
It will also be important to learn about the opportunities for each family member who has gone out of status. If you have any brothers or sisters who are under the age of 19, please contact an immigration attorney right away. Children are not penalized for being unlawfully present in the U.S. until they become an adult at 18 years of age. After that time, potential penalties start to accrue.
For more information about marriage while in the U.S. on a B visitor visa, please see: https://www.1-800-usa-immigration.com/in_usa.html. Kind regards, Allan Lolly, Immigration Attorney
Note: This information is general in nature and should not be relied up as legal advice for any particular matter.
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