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Posted Dec 29th, 2011
How to get citizenship when your husband, the father of your American child is still married to
another woman in the USA?

Additional Details:
My friend is an Egyptian woman, who lives and works in Kuwait. She is legally married to an
American man in Kuwait court. They had a baby and the baby has American status & passport. However,
her American husband has returned to the US without her and the baby. It appears he will not file
for a divorce from his first wife (American). So, how would the Egyptian woman apply for US
passport and citizenship? How long will it take? Can the process be expedited because she is living
in a country where it is terror to be divorced?
Legal Topic Area: Immigration in CA

Prior to filing for U.S. Citizenship, she would have to apply for a green card and become a permanent resident. Since, her marriage is probably not valid under U.S. law, she would have to apply for permanent residence another way (ex: through employment, diversity visa, etc.).

As far as if she is living in danger, she can apply for refugee status, and then for asylum. If she can become an asylee, she can later apply for permanent residence.


Answered on Dec 30th, 2011 at 12:56pm