Constantinos G. Fountas Immigration Law Blog on Lawyers.com

Common Misconceptions about Immigration & Citizenship

A common misconception is that marriage to a U.S. citizen result in automatic citizenship or green card holder status.  However, neither citizenship nor permanent residency is automatic—acquiring such statuses involves substantial time and effort.  Nor are citizenship or permanent residency guaranteed based on marriage.  Immigration law in Las Vegas and throughout the United States is riddled with complexities.

With the right paperwork, documentation of valid marriage and correct application forms properly filled out, many immigrant spouses can acquire green cards and go through naturalization.  The process of acquiring a conditional green card is comparatively quick, perhaps taking a few months for immigrants married to U.S. citizens and several years for those married to permanent residents. 
Marriage in the United States

If married in the United States, a spouse with previous legal U.S. status may adjust to permanent status (get a green card) while remaining in the United States, if married to a U.S. citizen.  For an immigrant marrying a permanent resident, the wait to acquire a green card may take years, and the immigrant spouse may not be able to work in the United States while waiting for green card approval.

Marriage outside the United States

When couples marry outside the United States, the immigrant spouse must acquire a green card through a U.S. consulate before U.S. entry is allowed.
The importance of understanding immigration laws in Las Vegas

The following situations can complicate marriage to a foreign national:

• Marriage in the United States to an immigrant with illegal status can result in deportation and a 10-year wait before permitting re-entry.
• Marriage to an immigrant with a U.S. or foreign criminal record may bar the spouse from ever entering the United States.
• Trouble proving the marriage was in good faith and not a fraudulent attempt to procure a green card can result in deportation, denial of a green card in the future, and federal criminal charges for fraud with penalties of up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Understanding immigration laws is vital, and especially if you have any doubts about permanent residency or citizenship through marriage, seek Las Vegas immigration help.
 
Fountas & Associates
3340 Pepper Lane, Suite 103
Las Vegas, NV Clark Co. 89120