I have a buddy who is married with his wife for three years. He's trying to find her a job, but it's difficult because she doesn't have a green card. They paid over $15k to shady immigration lawyers who have done nothing to help them get her citizenship. Does anyone know what steps they can take for her to get naturalized in the U.S.? He's a citizen and she's from Honduras.
I feel for him man. My wife and I are in the same boat. I'm a US Citizen and met my wife in Colombia a few years ago. We were married May of last year. I heard so many horror stories about POS immigrant lawyers that I decided to do all of the paperwork myself. That is one process that will test your patience like no other. As of right now we are waiting for the final interview at the US Embassy in Bogota programmed for September for her residency. She has never been to the states and I am looking forward to the new world she will get to experience. (You guys have no idea how under appreciated Walmart is until you have lived in South America for the past 5 years) Plus I am so stoked to be able to come back home and show her everything that makes the US the best country on earth. Disney, New York, Vegas, San Francisco and of course back to Houston to enjoy a delicious bacon cheese whataburger, there is so much I have planned. Looking back I am glad I did not pay anyone else to do something that was so delicate and important to us, putting our faith in some other persons hands who has no invested interest in the timeline or the outcome. Is he a US citizen? Is she currently staying in the US illegally? He needs to call the National Visa Center (603) 334 0700 where they will immediately ask him for this information: Her case number Her first and last name Her birthday His first and last name (he should be the petitioner) His birthday Then ask them what is going on with their case? For a government call center they have always been pretty helpful. Once he knows where it is, he can determine what steps need to be taken to finalize it. He needs to educate himself and read the entire process. Hope this was helpful.
It should not take you more than 6 months to get a green card for your wife. All information is here: http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis I would recommend to go with a lawyer since this is the Green Card process (someone who won't cheat you) don't worry about the money, it should be around $1500 for lawyer fees and another $1500 for government fees. Be ready to throw down around $3000, but it is nothing when compared to someone's future in this country. You can do everything yourself as well and save the lawyer fees, but I would recommend going through a lawyer for the green card process.
I spoke with him this morning. He had a court/embassy meeting in Honduras a few months ago with his wife, but due to his job he wasn't able to attend. It sounds like he's squared away for now. He just has to wait for his next hearing.
