Someone who entered the US illegally has now married a US Citizen. How can they become legal? STEPS?

I have a friend who married an illegal alien (entered the country illegally) but has been here 10 years and has been married three. What would be the steps to become legal?Someone who entered the US illegally has now married a US Citizen. How can they become legal? STEPS?
First you need to see an immigration lawyer(usually free consultation)


Then you need to file the I-130 and send copies of marriage license, birth certificates, etc. and file all other forms listed and/or sent to you.


Lastly, you will wait for an appointment in his/her country to decide if they will be allowed to be legal.





Note: Be honest...read carefully...and only send copies of licenses and documents! You will be required to send money(via check or money order) and this process will take time!!! Be patient and know that there is a chance that they will be denied!!!


Best wishes and I hope I have helped!!!Someone who entered the US illegally has now married a US Citizen. How can they become legal? STEPS?
technically they must leave the country and apply and re-enter... but based on what i see, depending on the countries they are from, they can just plead their case and just apply from here (like mexico, and some european countries)... most people need to apply from their home country otherwise face deportation


they best thing to do is get an immigration lawyer and work on the case
It's possible. It does involve going back to the home country but they don't have to go right away. They can get deported at any time though.





It's a very long and stressful process and there are no guarantees.





Here are the steps outlined:





http://immigrate2us.net/forum/showthread鈥?/a>
I believe the Illegal has to go back to their own country and then the citizen petitions them to come here.





At this point, the illegal is subject to deportation if caught.
you can't, not any more


unless you friend finds a way to go back to his country and completly erase all evidence that he resided legally in the US
I guess your friend would have the same way all legalization processes begin, by filing.





After that, it really depends on a lot of factors such as where the illegal alien came from and what year he/she arrived. Depending on the policies that the US might have at the moment, they might even require that the illegal alien go back to her/his country until the US reaches a decision on their case. Predominantly most of the illegals who go back in hopes to hear a positive response on their case find that once back in their country, the US rejects or ask for more information on their legalization case. When they are told to go back, it is for years not months (this is the year he/she arrived and where they came from come into place).





After this process is dealt with, I think it goes back into the same pattern. Immigration will go check up on the couple to make sure it is a legitimate marriage and not only a marriage of citizenship interest. This process could take as long 5-10 years depending on their case.





Also, if the person is illegal and has no source of documentation, for example not even a work permit, her/his chances of being approved are slim to none since a work permit shows that person has at least taken a step in trying to follow US policies. So, to get this process started, the couple better have some major cash funding for this because it gets pricy. Also, if they will be using an attorney, they should do their research because I have heard of cases where some attorneys just run off with their clients' money or give the wrong legal advice.
Cannot apply for the green card unless she goes back to her country and start the petition. It will be very hard for her even if she goes back to her country and to apply for a visa. The visa usually get deny if they ever come to usa illegally.