There’s a lot of different ways to get a green card in California, but one of the most widely used is through your marriage. But every marriage has its ups and downs, and sometimes, you might want to explore your other green card options without your spouse knowing. Our team at Maison Law Immigration Lawyers can help you through your options and protect your privacy. Set up a one-on-one consultation today.
Am I Able to Get a Green Card Without My Spouse Knowing?
When you’re trying to get a green card, it can feel like everyone is watching you. This is especially true if you’re trying to get one through the marriage-based option. You’re obviously both going to be pretty aware of how things are progressing.
However, the marriage-based option can become problematic if your relationship heads toward a divorce or some other type of issue. And at that point, you’re likely wondering if you can get a green card without them knowing. Thankfully, there’s a route that’s designed to do just that.
It happens by filing a petition for the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which protects people that have experienced:
- Domestic violence
- Physical or sexual abuse
- Threats or intimidation
- Emotional or psychological abuse
- Isolation or controlling behavior
- Other forms of battery or extreme cruelty
There’s pretty obvious benefits to using this kind of petition, with the main one being you don’t need to keep in contact with your spouse. The whole point of the VAWA process is to give you that space and protection. But you still have to go through the actual application process itself.
What’s the Process for Getting a Green Card Without My Spouse Knowing?
Privacy is obviously a huge concern for you if you’re trying to get a green card through the VAWA. With that said, though, the entire process starts with figuring out if it actually applies to your situation. That means showing a few different things, including:
- Your marriage was real and not just for immigration purposes.
- You lived with your spouse at some point.
- Your spouse abused you or subjected you to extreme cruelty.
- You are a person of good moral character.
USCIS reviews these on a case-by-case basis, which means that they have a lot of discretion when it comes to approving such a request. To that end, though, there’s a few things that can help your case:
- Your marriage certificate
- Photos or other evidence showing your relationship was real
- A lease, bills, bank records, or other proof that you lived together
- Text messages, emails, or other communications with your spouse
- Medical or therapy records
- Police reports, if you have them
- Statements from friends, family members, counselors, clergy, or other people who know what happened
- Your immigration records and identification
- Letters or other evidence showing your good moral character
Obviously, what you’re trying to do is paint a full picture of your situation. It’s not simply a matter of proving that you were abused or mistreated. It’s about context. But more to the point, it’s also about your safety and ability to move forward with your life here in California. That’s when it makes sense to talk to our lawyers.
California VAWA Petitioners Can Trust Maison Law Immigration Lawyers
At Maison Law Immigration Lawyers, we understand that applying for a green card can be especially stressful when you’re trying to do it without your spouse knowing. The last thing you need is the added stress and worry of now trying to go through the whole thing by yourself. That’s when our team can step in and help you by:
- Explaining whether you qualify for a VAWA self-petition
- Walking you through the VAWA process and what to expect
- Helping you gather the documents and evidence you’ll need
- Helping prepare your immigration forms and personal statement
- Answering your questions about confidentiality and what happens after you file
- Helping you understand your options for getting a green card without your spouse’s involvement
It might not feel like it right now, but there is a way forward with your immigration options, and your spouse doesn’t have to know the details. Set up a one-on-one consultation today to get started.
