You must still be living with your American spouse to avail of 3-year citizenship

As most people know, green card holders may apply for US Citizenship after five years residence in the US. However, if married to an American, there is a special “fast-track” route to citizenship, whereby a lawful permanent resident (LPR) is eligible to file for naturalization three years after obtaining his or her green card, instead of the normal five years.

However, there is a catch: the LPR must still be living with his or her American spouse in “marital union” in order to avail of the three-year citizenship. This basically means living under the same roof, or actually residing together. If the couple is divorced or separated, even an informal separation (i.e. the couple split up and are living in different locations) the person may not be eligible for the three-year citizenship.

Recently, I have come across several cases where the USCIS intensely investigated the “marital union” in cases where the people were seeking three-year citizenship. And it makes sense. After all, if they are claiming fast track citizenship, you can bet that the naturalization examiner is going to question them about whether or not they are still living with their American spouse.

In several cases, some LPRs who were no longer living with their American spouse were impatient to wait for five years, and thought they could trick or fool the USCIS. However, they were investigated, got caught, and were placed in removal proceedings. Not only were their naturalization applications denied, but the USCIS went after them, to take away their green cards.

In one situation, a Filipina married a US citizen, who petitioned her. However, she had moved out soon after the marriage. She got lucky and was able to obtain a conditional green card. She was even able to have the conditions removed two years later, even though she was no longer living with the American. (Ordinarily, to obtain a conditional green card or have the conditions removed, the couple is supposed to still be living together, and demonstrate that the marriage was “bona fide” (meaning not fixed)).

After securing her unconditional green card, she decided to try her luck once again. Rather than waiting out the five years and applying for naturalization the regular route, she decided to apply for the fast-track citizenship, by again claiming she was still living with her American husband.

Well, the USCIS investigated, by going to the house in the early morning, talking with neighbors, interrogating the American spouse, and noting in that some of the “joint” documentation she submitted, she and her American spouse had different addresses. So, USCIS uncovered that she had not been living with her spouse for some time.

Eventually, the USCIS denied her naturalization application, based on her misrepresentations about living together with her spouse. In addition, the USCIS also uncovered that she had not been living with her spouse at the time she obtained her green card. Therefore, not only was her naturalization application denied, but USCIS concluded that she had made misrepresentations in connection with obtaining her green card, and accused her of marriage fraud. The USCIS sought to have her deported/removed, for having obtained her green card through misrepresentation.

The bottom line is you should certainly apply for benefits if you’re entitled to them. But don’t try and play games or look for improper shortcuts or quick fixes. If you are still living with your American spouse, then by all means apply for citizenship after three years. But if you are not living with the American anymore, not only do you risk having your naturalization application denied, but you also risk being put in removal proceedings.

That is why it is so important that a person seeks the advice of a reputable attorney, whenever applying for immigration benefits, to make sure that they are truly eligible and that their eligibility can be properly documented, with the proper proof and evidence.

*      *      *

WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com

Four offices to serve you:  PHILIPPINES: 8940258 or 8940239; LOS ANGELES; SAN FRANCISCO; NEW YORK: TOLL FREE NUMBER: 1-866-GURFINKEL (1-866-487-3465)