Immigration question?

Question

My friend is from South America, married someone who was also from South America, but became a citizen before-hand. They were married in the 80's. She now works at a school, is a care taker, and pays taxes, but is not considered a citizen. How is this so? I thought marrying a U.S. Citizen made the individual a citizen? If not, can she do the paperwork to become one without the risk of deportation.

Raelyn · Accepted Answer

Hopefully, she is a legal resident with a green card.  Minor children can sometimes derive citizenship through parents, but spouses do not derive citizenship though marriage, only an opportunity to apply for a green card and eventually citizenship if he or she chooses,

Lisa A · Answer

you thought wrong. Marring someone does not confer citizenship.

If she is legal, and has been here since the 80s, she can apply for citizenship. She could have done so any time in the past quarter century.

If she is illegal all she is eligible for is deportation.

Anonymous · Answer

your friend need to ask with all her detail or go see an aila lawyer ... ..you may not have all the information...she may have a green card

marrying a us citizen does not automatically get you a green card or a passport

Immigration question?

3 Answers