A US citizen and her husband are now trapped in a long immigration battle after a paperwork error stopped the husband’s green card process and triggered deportation action.
How It All Started
The husband entered the US legally on a tourist visa before marrying a US citizen. After marriage, the couple filed two key forms Form I-130 to prove their marriage is real and Form I-485 to apply for a green card without leaving the US.
A Costly Error in the Forms
Their plan fell apart when the I-485 was denied because of mistakes in the application. The wife admitted she made a huge error by trusting a paralegal instead of a licensed immigration lawyer. She clarified there was no fraud only bad paperwork that derailed their case.
Deportation Proceedings Begin
After the denial, immigration authorities accused the husband of overstaying his visa. He has now received a Notice to Appear (NTA) in immigration court, which officially begins deportation proceedings. His hearing is scheduled for 2026, but the I-130 petition is still active with USCIS, meaning the marriage itself remains valid in the system.
Repeated Mistakes Add to the Stress
The couple tried to appeal by filing a motion after the denial, but that too failed because the paralegal missed the 33-day deadline. These repeated errors have pushed the couple to finally seek a proper immigration attorney who can manage the case correctly.
Lesson for Immigrants
Their story is a warning for anyone going through the US immigration process. It’s always better to hire a qualified lawyer instead of cutting costs with untrained legal help. One mistake in your paperwork can change your entire life in a foreign country.
