Q: Getting permission to work in the USA through marriage
Hi, my girlfriend's mum is a greencard holder and her step dad is a citizen from birth of the USA. I am hoping to get the right to work here. Would it be possible for my girlfriend to get her greencard and once we marry, claim right to work in the USA for myself? How long would it take approximately?
Thanks
A: You should consult with a competent immigration attorney to explore all possible paths. If your girlfriend was under the age of 18 when her mother married the U.S. Citizen step-father, then the quickest possible way for your girlfriend to obtain U.S. legal permanent residency may actually be through her step-father, not her mother. Once your girlfriend obtains permanent residency and you marry, then she may be able to file a case for you. Unfortunately, a spouse of U.S. legal permanent resident case is subject to a quota, and may take a relatively lengthy period of time to come to fruition. If your girlfriend's step-father is either unwilling or unable to file for his step-daughter, perhaps because she was over 18 on the date of her mother's marriage to him, then your girlfriend's U.S. legal permanent resident mother may petition for her so long as your girlfriend is single (NOT married). Before taking any action (marriage, immigration or otherwise), you, your girlfriend and her parents (mother & step-father) should consult with a competent immigration attorney who can ask many questions to flush out all possible issues and possibilities. (Note: Marriage alone to your girlfriend while she is a permanent resident does not afford you any work authorization.)
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
