Need Help For a Dear Friend Trapped in a Legal Nightmare

Thanks in advance to anyone who reads this and actually posts a reply.

I have a dear friend who seems to be trapped in a legal and matrimonial nightmare. Let's call her "Jane". Jane is a USC and lives in State A. We'll call the nightmare "John". John at the time was an illegal immigrant in State B.

While at a very low point in her life,Jane met John and they began a relationship. Specific promises (non-financial) were made and eventually a marriage resulted from a civil ceremony in State B. Once the deal was sealed, this is when the nightmare began. John never came through with his promises of a fruitful marriage and it became clear that John had married Jane to stay in the US. Jane and John have been married for about 8 months now and she wants to get the marriage annuled. Since the marriage began, they have not co-habitated or have any joint financial ties. Jane has retained legal assistance (non-specialized) in State A and John has also retained legal assistance in State B. John does not want an annulment as this would result in his deportation.

This whole nightmare is not only tearing her apart emotionally, but financially as well. The legal costs are high and it seems that nothing has been achieved in the last 6 months. I have advised her to talk to legal firms / lawyers that specialize in family / immigration law and she intends on doing so.

She is a dear friend that doesn't deserve to be going through such a nightmare. She has enough on her mind with other more serious issues that need to be dealt with.

Once again, any feedback is greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your time.

Thanks in advance to anyone who reads this and actually posts a reply.

I have a dear friend who seems to be trapped in a legal and matrimonial nightmare. Let's call her "Jane". Jane is a USC and lives in State A. We'll call the nightmare "John". John at the time was an illegal immigrant in State B.

While at a very low point in her life,Jane met John and they began a relationship. Specific promises (non-financial) were made and eventually a marriage resulted from a civil ceremony in State B. Once the deal was sealed, this is when the nightmare began. John never came through with his promises of a fruitful marriage and it became clear that John had married Jane to stay in the US. Jane and John have been married for about 8 months now and she wants to get the marriage annuled. Since the marriage began, they have not co-habitated or have any joint financial ties. Jane has retained legal assistance (non-specialized) in State A and John has also retained legal assistance in State B. John does not want an annulment as this would result in his deportation.

This whole nightmare is not only tearing her apart emotionally, but financially as well. The legal costs are high and it seems that nothing has been achieved in the last 6 months. I have advised her to talk to legal firms / lawyers that specialize in family / immigration law and she intends on doing so.

She is a dear friend that doesn't deserve to be going through such a nightmare. She has enough on her mind with other more serious issues that need to be dealt with.

Once again, any feedback is greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your time.

She should go for annulment of marriage and file in her own State where she lives. She should mention the facts that after marriage, her husband never lived with her.
She can also withdraw her petition I-130 from the Immigration Department. If she will withdraw her petition, then he can not adjust his status to Permanent Resident.
Good luck.

this marriage seems to me a clear bussiness deal which went sour.
IT looks that your friend want to blackmail which he don't let it happend.
There are no evidence that marriage was in good faith, no Joint properties, accounts, lease, insurance, not even lived togather.
its completely fraud.

u know she can be jailed for 5 years and even pay 25000 fine cause so far the husband can get her in trouble as he is being deported.when u petition some one to stay in the us u have not to commit a fraud and if so u can be in hot water.i would just talk to the husband and reach a deal with him to get out of the marriage without both sides getting in trouble.

I truly am sorry to hear about your friend's situation. We all make mistakes and hopefully learn from them. She really is lucky to have you there for support.

To expand a little on Umesh Passi's advice, (in which by the way, Thank you so much Umesh for your valuable advice and concern to this board) as stated, your friend should write to the Local Immigration Office, to the Service Center and also to the National Visa Center in which she has sponsored this person by Filing the I-130 and requesting that she wants to withdraw sponsorship for this particular person. These addresses can be found on:

www.immigration.gov

Once she has done this it will be cancelled as withdrawn and her husband will then be put under deportation.

Good Luck and God Bless!

Do you know if they've had their adjustment of status interview yet?

It will be the perfect time for her to explain the situation. resulting most in his deportation

to Guest

I undergo a similar situation as your American friend does.
In my case, though, It's me(the immigrant) who is living a nightmare.
We've been living together for over 2 years now (over 6 months after getting married).
I never thought I would have to undergo so much blackmailing and hummiliation from the person whom I expected to be loved and respected.
I've tried hard to have an open dialogue with my USC husband to make things work out for us, but he reacts in such a grouchy way that all was left to me was to resignate silently resignate in my sorrow and sadness.
I'm not sure I will be able to endure such a miserable life for long.
Unfortunately, people do abuse of their power.
What's left for those who trusted them? Pack your bags and travel back to your country or wait to be deported like a criminal?!

That does not sound fair at all!!!

I just wanted to say thanks to all that have taken the time to respond (kindly)to my posting:

Umesh Passi - Seems like you're a popular person on this discussion board. Thanks for your feedback.

One Heart - Thanks for your kind and thoughtful feedback. I'll pass on your thoughts and see what happens.

Feeling Miserable - Sorry to hear about your situation. Life's too short, live your life as you deserve to live it. I'm sure it'll all work out in the end.

Thanks again to everyone who gave their time and valuable feedback. Picker - hope you resolve your issues.