Navigating marriage for green card success can be incredibly tough for many couples. The paperwork, waiting, and emotional stress can feel overwhelming—especially when a pandemic adds extra hurdles.
But Matthew and Jane’s marriage green card story is a beacon of hope. They faced numerous challenges along the way, but their journey ended in a joyful reunion in the U.S. Matthew opened up about their struggles and triumphs, sharing the highs and lows they experienced.
The Start of Their Marriage Green Card Journey
Matthew hired us in September 2020 to begin the couple’s marriage based green card journey. However, he could not travel to the Philippines to marry Jane because of the pandemic. After the pandemic subsided, he was finally able to marry Jane. Our law firm subsequently filed the I-130 in April 2022, which was approved in May 2023.
However, their marriage green card case faced delays because of the pandemic backlog at the U.S. Embassy in Manila. An unfortunate further mix-up with their paperwork also added to their challenges. The couple tried to expedite Jane’s visa application many times, but it kept being refused. Finally, Matthew chose to hire our law firm to file a mandamus petition to speed up their marriage green card process.
Matthew recalled:
“Philippines threw a couple of wrenches into things like, right after we got married, we went to the registrar's office in the city that my wife used to live in. And, they messed up some of the paperwork, which caused a little bit of a delay.”
Facing Further Unforeseen Delays
Even though the mandamus lawsuit worked, Jane faced more delays in getting her marriage green card. She needed extra medical tests for her visa. She had been around people with tuberculosis years ago, so the embassy required more tests. Her visa interview was set for July 2024 but was pushed back because the medical exams took two months to resolve.
Matthew explained what happened:
“And, they flagged her for tuberculosis, sputum, because she used to have and be around people who had tuberculosis, even though that was several years ago.” This extra testing caused another two-month delay in their wait.
The Happy Moment
When Jane’s interview was scheduled, Matthew rushed to the Philippines to be by her side. Waiting outside the embassy while Jane went in alone must’ve been nerve-wracking for him. Despite this, he stayed strong and supported her every step of the way.
Matthew recounted:
“I flew to the Philippines to be with her because I wasn't sure if they would want both parties present during the interview. I couldn't, I had to, I had to stay in a line outside of the embassy when my wife came in.
When Jane walked out of the embassy and saw Matthew waiting for her, her face lit up with pure joy and relief. It was clear how thrilled and relieved she was to share the good news. After a long four-year wait, you can imagine how relieved they both felt when they were told they could finally be together! They were finally able to take their marriage green card process to the next level.
Matthew recalled the moment Jane told him her visa was approved:
“So she knew before I did, but when she found me after she got approved, when she walked out of the embassy, it was just pure joy and relief.”
How They Got Through the Marriage Green Card Process
Even though there were many marriage green card timeline delays, Matthew said that having good legal support made a big difference. Having a competent and helpful legal team made it easier for them to handle the problems they faced. The quick response times and dedication of the legal team helped them solve problems quickly. They were able to keep things moving while facing many challenges since 2020.
Matthew shared:
“Response time. They were very quick. It was always either right then or within 24 hours.”
Excited and Thankful to Begin a New Chapter Together
Now that Jane is finally in the U.S., she and Matthew are thrilled to begin this exciting new chapter together. Matthew expressed deep gratitude for all the legal support they received and shared the couple’s future plans with excitement.
Matthew exclaimed:
“Feels great. A long time coming, but we're so very appreciative for everything that the law firm was able to do for us.”
Jane got her immigrant visa and moved to the U.S. As of this testimonial, Jane’s permanent resident card marriage is almost ready and she will receive it soon.
Matthew shared the couple’s future plans:
“In the near future, we'd like to start a family.”
Celebrating Matthew and Jane’s New Beginning
We’re thrilled to congratulate Matthew and Jane for making it through all their marriage green card challenges. Thank you both for sharing your story with us. We hope it offers hope and inspiration to other couples navigating the green card process for married couples.
It’s been an honor to help, even in a small way. We wish you both a lifetime of happiness and fulfillment as you start this new chapter together. May this fresh start bring you joy, and may all your dreams for the future come true.
Here’s to Starting Your New Chapter Today!
Matthew and Jane's four-year marriage green card journey had many challenges. They faced pandemic delays, paperwork problems, and long medical tests. Their story underscores the immigration process difficulties many green card delays couples face but also offers hope and encouragement.
Their hard work and love for each other led to their successful reunion in the U.S. If you’re facing similar challenges, know that expert legal support is here to help. Can spouses get green card of American citizen?
Yes, they can. Share your case today to set up a no-obligation one-on-one consultation. We will assess your situation and provide personalized advice. Here’s to writing your new beginning—may it be filled with joy and exciting opportunities!
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