AboutRichard Aberdeen Expertise Author and songwriter; owner of Freedom Tracks Records, Nashville, Tennessee. Published three books available online at www.RichardAberdeen.com Can answer questions regarding the difference between Christianity and the historical Jesus and the differences between Christianity and what the Bible actually says. Extensive background in the Bible and biblical historical cultures. Lifetime student of history, biography and general sciences. Major sources of study include Encyclopedia Britannica, the Bible, Will Durant and many different world and American historians.
Experience Hands on experience helping the homeless. Have done extensive research on Human and Civil Rights, major historical figures relating to such and how Human Rights relate to the modern American experience. Author of 3 books and over 75 released songs.
Organizations The Aberdeen Foundation www.AberdeenFoundation.org Freedom Tracks Records www.FreedomTracks.com Tennessee Songwriters Association www.tnsai.com
Publications Published Songs: www.FreedomTracks.com/songinfo.html
Published Books: www.RichardAberdeen.com
Currently writer for www.examiner.com
Education/Credentials Self-educated; Extensive studies in Bible, ancient history, American history, general sciences and related studies; main sources include Encyclopedia Britannica, Will Durant and many different world and American historians. Information available at: www.RichardAberdeen.com
Question QUESTION: I have girlfriend who i wish to marry, who according to the United States of America, is not a naturalized citizen. She came to America when she was 2 years old, against her will, with her parents. Since her arrival she has graduated High-School and is a little over a year in to college to become a Dental Hygienist. She has been consistently working at the same location for over 2 years and is basically in standard with any American Dream. Her father is a naturalized citizen in whom she currently has a case with in trying to obtain her citizenship. If i marry my love. can this jeopardize, and or benefit her process? And what if we were expecting a child soon? Would this jeopardize the situation or could it benefit? Any input is greatly appreciated. Thanks again
ANSWER: I don't know for certain, but it is my understanding that if you are a legal U.S. citizen and you marry someone, that would make them eligible to become a citizen. I am not certain about this because the immigration laws keep changing, in part in this case due to the abuse of "marriages of convenience" in the past arranged only so someone could obtain citizenship. I recommend that you consult an immigration attorney who could probably answer your question for certain. You can usually obtain an initial consultation for very little cost by contacting the state bar where you are located and asking who they recommend. Many state bar associations have a referral program in place where initial consultations cost less than $100.
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QUESTION: Thank you very much for your quick reply. It has been greatly appreciated. Last but not least, my girlfriends family has had a lawyer working on the case for over 8 years. Would you say it is a possibility he may be just "milking" them for money? I know that is a broad question, but 8 years to me and only one Visa issued sounds strange. What would be your input on the matter? And thanks again
Answer It would be my guess if he has been working on her case for 8 years, that he isn't trying very hard to help her. You might consider contacting the state bar where you live and ask them to recommend a good immigration lawyer. Try to get them to recommend one who doesn't charge very much for an initial consultation, which you should be able to get for less than $100. In an initial consultation, you can lay out your situation and ask him questions like, "if a foreign born woman becomes the wife of a legal citizen, will that provide her a legal pathway towards citizenship?" and similar questions. I think that anyone who is married to a legal citizen can themselves then apply for citizenship, although I'm not sure what the current law is regarding this, how difficult the process is or how long it takes. Your current lawyer should know the answer to this question as well and since he is already your lawyer, I recommend asking him about it first and see what he says. I know in the past, that many foreign born people have married legal U.S. citizens for the purpose of obtaining citizenship and the U.S. government may have cracked down on this practice and thus, made this harder to accomplish now than previously. I'm not sure of the current legal regulations regarding this and I don't recommend taking anybody's word for it other than an immigration lawyer, because private citizen legal advice is often not correct.
