Can an illegal immigrant be get married to a US citizen if he is already considered married in mexico

The crime of bigamy, if enforced, is committed, when anyone legal or illegal, marries someone 'knowing' that they are already lawfully married to another. An illegal alien can get divorced in the U.S. just like a U.S. Citizen provided the foreigner can hire an attorney. Once divorced, a foreigner can lawfully marry a U.S. Citizen. Certainly, mistakes happen, when people think that they are divorce, but find out otherwise. Sometimes, documents are not properly entered in a court to finalize a divorce. Also, some cannot find fraud proof divorce orders. In those situations, those who cannot prove that they are lawfully divorced before marriage to a U.S. Citizen must consider seeking a divorce that is documented in a court. Otherwise, the marriage will not be considered valid.

There are also other issues. For example, a marriage to a foreigner, alone, is not enough to secure a green card, which is known as lawful permanent resident status. The applying couple must prove 'to the satisfaction of the USCIS Adjudicator that the marriage 'was entered into' based upon a good faith relationship. Marriages that are entered solely for the purposes of seeking a green card are against Federal criminal law. In addition, those who marry for a green card, if proven, can be permanently barred from civilly applying for permanent resident status. There is no waiver of that legal finding, if proven.

What this means is that if you are really in love, then get married. Otherwise, don't do anyone any favors. In addition, those who entered without inspection, that is, those who illegally crossed the border or without lawful paperwork 'often' cannot 'complete visa processing' in the United States. There are a few exceptions based upon what is called 'grandfathering in' based upon INA Section 245i.

Most will not qualify for 245i adjustment, but filing applications may get a person deported. Someone who has 'entered illegal' should seek the advice of an experienced immigration and visa attorney; there are other complications that should be discussed before filing.

A lawful marriage in Mexico is generally valid worldwide. If your fiance is lawfully married in Mexico then he is married and needs to obtain either a divorce or an annulment of the marriage before you can lawfully marry him in the U.S. A divorce may be obtained in the State in the U.S. where he resides, or perhaps at the nearest Mexican consulate here in the U.S.

Once he is eligible to marry you, then he still needs to sort out his immigration paperwork. In some cases it makes sense to marry first and at other times it can be advantageous to obtain a fiance visa and marry him once he is in lawful status in the U.S. Some choices need to be made regarding his immigration if you want him to try and become legal in the U.S.

If your fiance entered the U.S. illegally then in all likelihood there is nothing that can be done currently to make him legal while he remains in the U.S. At some point he must depart the U.S. and return on a K visa based on your relationship. An exception would be if a family member filed immigration papers for him prior to April 2001.

If he has been in the U.S. illegally for more than one year past his 18th birthday, then when he departs the U.S. he will be barred from returning here for 10 years, married or not. Our goal will be to try to have the bar set aside and bring the foreigner back to the U.S. and obtain a U.S. permanent resident green card.

A phone consultation is needed to confirm your situation, determine your chances of success, and advise as to your options. You should not proceed without the assistance of a qualified U.S. immigration attorney who has experience in these matters.