Law.com Subscribers SAVE 30%

Call 855-808-4530 or email [email protected] to receive your discount on a new subscription.

Divorce and the Undocumented Spouse

By Laurie J. Woog
August 01, 2017

Elena recently initiated divorce proceedings against her husband, Marcus. She told her family law attorney that he is “controlling” and quick to anger. But suddenly, Elena seems reluctant to continue the proceedings. When her attorney asks why, she confesses that she is an undocumented immigrant. Her husband, a U.S. citizen, had started filling out paperwork to help her get a green card, but never completed the process. He is threatening her with deportation if she goes through with the divorce. She is afraid to keep living with him, but fears being put into removal proceedings and separated from her two children. (“Removal” is the current technical term for deportation proceedings to remove someone from the United States.)

Marriage to a U.S. citizen, by itself, does not confer legal status on an undocumented immigrant. However, a valid marriage — one not entered into for the purpose of evading immigration laws — can provide an avenue to legal status in some circumstances. Thus, if an undocumented immigrant gets divorced, she will generally lose that avenue.

Introductory Issues

This premium content is locked for Entertainment Law & Finance subscribers only

  • Stay current on the latest information, rulings, regulations, and trends
  • Includes practical, must-have information on copyrights, royalties, AI, and more
  • Tap into expert guidance from top entertainment lawyers and experts

For enterprise-wide or corporate acess, please contact Customer Service at [email protected] or 877-256-2473

Read These Next
Top 5 Strategies for Managing the End-of-Year Collections Frenzy Image

End of year collections are crucial for law firms because they allow them to maximize their revenue for the year, impacting profitability, partner distributions and bonus calculations by ensuring outstanding invoices are paid before the year closes, which is especially important for meeting financial targets and managing cash flow throughout the firm.

The Self-Service Buyer Is On the Rise Image

Law firms and companies in the professional services space must recognize that clients are conducting extensive online research before making contact. Prospective buyers are no longer waiting for meetings with partners or business development professionals to understand the firm's offerings. Instead, they are seeking out information on their own, and they want to do it quickly and efficiently.

Should Large Law Firms Penalize RTO Rebels or Explore Alternatives? Image

Through a balanced approach that combines incentives with accountability, firms can navigate the complexities of returning to the office while maintaining productivity and morale.

Sink or Swim: The Evolving State of Law Firm Administrative Support Image

The paradigm of legal administrative support within law firms has undergone a remarkable transformation over the last decade. But this begs the question: are the changes to administrative support successful, and do law firms feel they are sufficiently prepared to meet future business needs?

Tax Treatment of Judgments and Settlements Image

Counsel should include in its analysis of a case the taxability of the anticipated and sought after damages as the tax effect could be substantial.