Divorcee Fears Denial of Citizenship after Failed Marriage

• Applicant: Amanda Morales
• Nationality: Mexican
• Applying for: Citizenship
• Case Type: N-400 Application for Naturalization
• Time: 8 months
• Approval: October of 2019
• Special Challenges:
  1. The client fears deportation.
  2. USCIS case officers might suspect first marriage was deception to receive a green card.
  3. The marriage produced no children
  4. Ex-husband might testify against her.

BACKGROUND

Ms. Morales had always dreamed of getting married and having children. Her parents had been married for 30 years and she wanted that same love connection with someone else. It was not until she was in high school that she found her future husband, Dave. They decided to get married and she had thought she found her happily-ever-after with him. However, things took a turn for the worst. Because Amanda came from Mexico when she was two years old, she did not receive her green card until she married Dave; however, Dave started using this against her. He would say she owed him or accuse her of marrying him to get her green card. After constantly hearing these words from the man she loved, they began to weigh heavily on her. His behavior had also taken a turn for the worst and he was not the same man she fell in love with. Although she truly did love him, they did not have the same love connection as before. She decided that it was best if they just get a divorce and he agreed.

Newly divorced, Amanda wanted to start a new life. She decided the best way to do this was to finally apply for naturalization. Unfortunately, she spoke to an immigration attorney that informed her the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) case officer might look at her first marriage and subsequent divorce as a mere ruse to get her green card. They also warned her that Dave might be contacted and that he may testify she had used him. Due to the additional fact that they did not have any children together, the other attorney gave her no hope of receiving a favorable decision. Worst of all, the attorney warned, by seeking naturalization she could open herself up to deportation.  Amanda did not know what to do. Fortunately, she contacted the immigration specialists at Tsang and Associates.

KEYS TO SUCCESS

Having successfully handled hundreds of similar cases, Tsang and Associates knew exactly how to move forward. The challenge was proving that Amanda’s marriage was legitimate to the USCIS case officer. The firm asked her to provide joint bank account statements, joint tax returns, mortgage statements, and utility bills. Amanda also provided nearly 500 photographs over five years of her and David as a couple attending weddings, going on vacations, attending holiday family gatherings, and many other occasions. She also collected personal statements from family and friends testifying to the legitimacy of the marriage. All of these items were compiled in a voluminous Attorney Brief that also included an introductory letter explaining her personal history, details about her courtship, marriage, and divorce, and the accomplishments she has made in her education and career. Tsang and Associates prepped her on how to present her story and she felt confident and comfortable as she sat across the table from the case officer.

OUTCOME

The USCIS case officer listened to Amanda’s life story, reviewed the thorough Attorney Brief prepared by Tsang and Associates and quickly approved her N-400 application. At one point in the process Amanda feared deportation, now her only concern was finding the perfect new dress to wear for her Naturalization Ceremony. Tsang and Associates are honored to have assisted Amanda in achieving her dream of American citizenship.

*Name has been changed to protect client identity