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I'm on a fixed income for the time being meaning I'm disabled. I want to marry a woman from Ghana but I was told we may not get approved because of finances. Is this true? If it is, is there another route to us getting married and her becoming a U.S. citizen?
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Criminal Defense Attorney serving Alhambra, CA
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Francis John Cowhig
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Before becoming a U.S. Citizen, your fiance would have to become a Permanent Resident first. If you do not meet the financial requirements for the affidavit of support, you will need a co-sponsor who does meet the requirements to help you. This could either be a family member or friend.
Answered on Feb 20th, 2015 at 8:52 AM
Generally, a U.S. citizen may marry a foreign national who entered the U.S. lawfully and with inspection, and then sponsor the foreign national spouse in an application to adjust status to become a Lawful Permanent Resident (to get a "Green Card"). If the U.S. citizen spouse does not have sufficient documentable income to meet the published Poverty Guideline amount for the relevant family size, then it will be necessary to have a "joint sponsor." The joint sponsor need not be related to the couple, and instead may be any U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident who has sufficient documentable income and who is willing to assume the responsibilities associated with the required Affidavit of Support. It would be wise to work with an immigration lawyer for this type of case. Some immigration law firms, including mine, offer legal services on a "flat fee" basis so that a client will know the total expense from the very beginning, and a few immigration law firms, including mine, offer an initial consultation free of charge.
Answered on Feb 18th, 2015 at 2:04 PM
Bruce A. Coane
There's always a chance a case could be denied, for any number of reasons. If your income is insufficient, you could get a co-sponsor for the paperwork.
Answered on Feb 18th, 2015 at 1:58 PM
You can get married. You will just need to find a joint sponsor.
Answered on Feb 18th, 2015 at 9:04 AM