Waiver is available for those who entered as single but actually married?

Waiver is available for those who entered as single but actually married?

If you obtained an immigrant visa as single son or daughter of a Lawful Permanent Resident or a U. S. citizen but you are actually married at the time of your entry to the U. S., you committed a misrepresentation of material fact in obtaining a visa because you did not disclose your marital status at the time of the interview and/or at the time you entered the United States.  Even if you are actually single at the time of the interview but you get married the day before entering the U. S. you still committed a misrepresentation. Although you have a document which is your green card, your actual status is that of a person not in possession of a valid visa.  An alien not in possession of a valid visa is inadmissible and deportable.  If you applied for naturalization the USCIS will likely find it out.  Your naturalization application will be denied and you will be sent to an Immigration Judge for removal proceedings.

Question:        Mario was petitioned by Jose, his father who is a Lawful Permanent Resident in 1985.  His father became a U.S. citizen in 1993.  Mario got married to Linda in 1988.  Mario and Linda have a child born in 1989 named Cindy. In 1991, Mario was interviewed at the U. S. Embassy, Manila for an immigrant visa.  He declared that he was single and has no child.  Based on this declaration he was given a visa and entered the U. S. in 1992.  Mario married Linda again in 1993 and filed an immigrant visa petition for his wife and daughter.  The petition was denied because the USCIS discovered his prior marriage to Linda in 1988 and he committed a misrepresentation of material fact by not disclosing his marriage to Linda in 1988 and the existence of his daughter.  Mario received a Notice to Appear to the Immigration Court.  What is Mario’s immigration status?

Answer:          Mario committed a fraud or misrepresentation of material fact in obtaining a visa at the U.S. Embassy.  By entering the U.S. without disclosing his marriage and children is again a misrepresentation to the U.S. Immigration Officer.  These two acts of misrepresentation made Mario inadmissible and deportable.

Question:        What is the relief available to Mario?

Answer:          Mario may request the immigration court for a waiver of the misrepresentation.  To avail of this waiver Mario must have a parent or son or daughter who is Lawful Permanent Resident or U.S. citizen.

Note:   This is not a legal advice.

Immigration News

  1. On February 10, 2012, we received from USCIS Administrative Appeals Office and approval of I-601 waiver for entering under a different name.
  2. The DHS proposed a waiver of inadmissibility for those who entered as crewman, entered without inspection and fiancée who did not marry the petitioner.
  3. On December 22, 2011, we received an approval of a waiver of misrepresentation from the Immigration Court for an alien who entered as single but actually married.
  4. On October 25, 2011, we received an approval of adjustment of status for an alien who was originally deported in absentia.
  5. On September 22, 2011, we received an approval from USCIS for adjustment of status using cross chargeability that enabled the beneficiary to use the worldwide priority date (which is faster) instead of the Philippines priority date.
  6. On August 30, 2011, we received an approval from Immigration Court of an adjustment of status for an alien who was previously denied by USCIS.
  7. On July 28, 2011, we received an approval of adjustment of status for an alien who entered the U. S. without valid documents but qualified under Sec. 245(i).


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