Procedures the Government Implements to Mitigate Marriage Scams

There are many people who take up 'scam marriages' allowing the other person get a green card. The government has stopped taking such cases lightly and has placed several processes in place to filter those scam marriages and provide green cards for genuine cases alone. That is green cards for those people who have married genuinely out of love and have an intention to stay married for a long period of time.

There are many steps in the process of getting a green card for one's spouse.

# 1: A K1 visa or what is also known as the fiancé visa must be applied for first, if the person is outside the US (a common case with Asian candidates)

# 2: The green card holder must provide the following documents in the nearest USCIS office, 2 passport size photographs, birth certificate, copy of the non-immigrant visa of self or in case the person does not hold a US visa because they are born in America then other legal identification proofs must be provided along with forms I 130, form 1 485 and form G 325 A.

# 3: The card who is working - and the spouse if he or she is working - in the US must provide a copy of their tax returns, employment verification documents for the government official to check.

# 4: If the case is of a second marriage to either party the previous marriage documents should also be submitted for the examination. It is in this stage that most of the scam marriages get caught so it is important to be honest and provide all the legal documents to avoid suspension, as it would lead to the US citizenship application being declined for the spouse. It would also create a black mark for the cardholder

# 5: If the non-green card-holding partner has any intention to work during the time period then an I 765 must also be applied for along with the other applications made this would help them get a work permit within 90 to 100 days

# 6: The spouse must undergo a medical examination from a certified doctor and get a sealed I 485 Adjustment of Status forms filled out, a copy they must have with the other applications they submit to the USCIS office.

The key stage is when the couple is called for a biometrics or finger printing appointment. It is an appointment that is as important as a court call. The couple must take extra efforts to ensure that the have all the right documents too. If the process goes correctly and as planned then the green card will be issued.