support obligation

[KevinB]

It is my understanding that if you marry a foreign lady and she divorces you, you could end up paying for her to live in the US for a long time.
Does the law, which requires this pertain to both those who came on fiance visa and married in the US, as well as those who were married overseas and then came to the US.

[Pete Eiguren]

... in response to support obligation, posted by KevinB on Jun 5, 2001

Kevin,
Yes you have to sign an "affidavid of support"for either a fiace or spousal visa.It says if they recieve public assistance(basically welfare) you can be required to reimburse the public agency.It even says 10 years or 10 years after they go to work,so it could be for more than 10 years.If you get divorced you could pay alimony or child support(if you have children or adopt hers).
But there are some safeguards.On the fiance visa she has to marry you or go back in 90 days.On the spousal visa she has to stay married to you for 2 years and you have to pettition the government for her to become permanent.I think its the same for 2 years if you marry here on a spousal visa.So you sort of get a 2 year test drive.If she gets her green card and then leaves you they would have to find her to deport her.There are millions of people who stay here illegally,but if she got involved in a divorce proceeding you would know where she is to get her deported.
I guess she could get public assistance even though she staid illegally and you would be liable but again when this came to light she might get deported.
Actually I am sure there are lots of complications that could arrise.Anyone here been through any of this?
One friend who got married in Colombia and divorced here said next time he would marry her here on a fiance visa and if he  divorced here he wouldn't need a Colombian divorce,which is harder to get.

Pete

[Houndog]

... in response to support obligation, posted by KevinB on Jun 5, 2001

...or more...there is a formula of so many quarters bla, bla, bla, don't remember all the details exactly. However this pertains to non-working x-spouses that go on public assistance. So it's not exactly an automatic, cut & dried deal.

HD

[Houndog]

... in response to Re: YEP...10 yrs.., posted by Houndog on Jun 5, 2001

This is one of several Very Important Reasons the archives ARE FULL of posts pertaining to picking "The Right One"..."A Good One"...from the GitGo...instead of just throwing out a net...thinking one can simply throw back the ones they don't want. If it was that easy and pain free the whole male population of the US would go south for a young beautiful runway model maid. Then they'd have to make "Stepford Wives II South of the Border"....

Remember out there....Watch What You Wish For....and....There is No Free Lunch....

HD