How to become a Citizen?

[LdiJ]

It doesn't matter whether you like the word or not.

You have to show that you earn enough to ensure your spouse doesn't end up on state aid.

And in terms of the I-864 (the affidavit of support), you can feasibly be forced to pay her up to 125% of the Federal Poverty Level (which evens out at around $1100/month give or take) until one of these conditions is met:

1. She naturalizes.
2. She earns 40 qualifying SS quarters
3. You or she dies
4. She abandons her residency.

Divorce does not end the obligation.

I need to clarify...you don't have to pay her that kind of money while you are married and living together...its only if you separate or divorce and only if she is not working and making that kind of money or better, by herself.

 

[Proserpina]

I need to clarify...you don't have to pay her that kind of money while you are married and living together...its only if you separate or divorce and only if she is not working and making that kind of money or better, by herself.

I get the distinct impression that the OP won't meet the criteria by himself.

I do wish people would actually get an attorney to explain the obligation before the marriage takes place.

 

[jasonxman]

so what are the options I have to help her become naturalized US Citizen? Assume she isn't going to screw me over.

 

[Proserpina]

so what are the options I have to help her become naturalized US Citizen? Assume she isn't going to screw me over.

Before we go there - and you can approximate if you wish - what's your yearly income? If it's not enough, do you have anyone to co-sponsor?

 

[ecmst12]

You have no other options to help her. IF she finishes school, and is able to get a job here on her own, then she can stay. She's much more likely to be able to do that if she graduates from her program. Otherwise, she goes home. If she drops out of her school, she will almost definitely not be able to find a job willing to sponsor her. So encourage her to stay in school if she wants to stay here, or get ready to break up when she goes back to her country. Or to move to Thailand.

 

[jasonxman]

Before we go there - and you can approximate if you wish - what's your yearly income? If it's not enough, do you have anyone to co-sponsor?

I'm not comfortable telling you, but why does it matter?

 

[jasonxman]

You have no other options to help her. IF she finishes school, and is able to get a job here on her own, then she can stay. She's much more likely to be able to do that if she graduates from her program. Otherwise, she goes home. If she drops out of her school, she will almost definitely not be able to find a job willing to sponsor her. So encourage her to stay in school if she wants to stay here, or get ready to break up when she goes back to her country. Or to move to Thailand.

she already has a bachelors and is working on her masters. she has a job, but I'm not 100% if it's under the table or not. I thought marriage is an option?

 

[Proserpina]

I'm not comfortable telling you, but why does it matter?

You really haven't looked into this at all, have you?

When you sign form I-864, you are making an enforceable contract between you and the US government. These are the guidelines which must be met before you can actually file.

http://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/files/form/i-864p.pdf

(You need to look at the 125% rows)

If she is working illegally, you can say goodbye to permanent residency for her.

This "contract" enables both the government AND the sponsored immigrant to file a lawsuit to enforce.

 

[Silverplum]

she already has a bachelors and is working on her masters. she has a job, but I'm not 100% if it's under the table or not. I thought marriage is an option?

You want to know if marriage is an option, but you don't know if she is working legally.

Okay.