How Form 2350 Bona 2023-2024

Hello and welcome to another edition of Coffee Talk with immigration attorney Brian D Lerner. In this particular episode, I would like to talk about the bona fide marriage and what that means for immigration purposes. I cannot tell you how many times people come into my office thinking they can marry someone just to get a work permit or a green card. I always have to remind them that marrying just for immigration benefits is illegal. Under immigration law, a bona fide marriage means that you are marrying for love and not just for legal status. It means that your marriage is real and based on the desire to spend the rest of your life together. Some people mistakenly believe that going to a justice of the peace or getting married in Las Vegas automatically makes their marriage bona fide. However, under immigration law, that is not the case. Having a legal marriage doesn't necessarily mean it is bona fide. If immigration officials determine that you married for the purpose of obtaining legal status, you can face serious consequences. For the intending immigrant, being convicted of marriage fraud can result in being barred from immigration benefits for life. For the U.S. citizen, it is a federal crime that can lead to prosecution and imprisonment. Many clients come into my office with examples of other couples who got away with marrying just for immigration benefits. However, every case is different, and it is essential to prove that the marriage is bona fide. Proving a bona fide marriage can be challenging, especially if there are flags or suspicious circumstances. Age difference, living in different states, a short duration of knowing each other before marriage, living separately, not having joint accounts or assets in both names, and other factors can raise red flags. However, with a strong presentation and argument,...