Immigration law question

Im no expert but I know its not immediate, there is still a long process to citizenship once married.

I know a guy who has been married for 3+ yrs and is still on visa working towards citizenship.

Can apply directly for green card. Takes a few months and they will need to interview in 6 months and 2 years

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When an American citizen marries an non-citizen, what is the legal status of the person after marriage? Do they automatically become a resident alien? Citizen

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They do not. They start by getting a green card (which includes an interview with both husband and wife by an immigration agent). After 5 years living together in the US as husband and wife they can apply for citizenship. It’s a long and expensive process.

Is this the movie where the immigrant's boyfriend whacks the hubby a year or four down the road and then moves in with the newly minted widow?

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American citizen marries an non-citizen

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A buddy of mine did this.

You can plan for the exact date when she cleans out your bank accounts, leaves town with your credit cards, and files for divorce.

It's the date when she

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becomes a citizen

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I already have a very strong pre-nup drawn up bud...

There will be no access to my bank accounts/credit cards.

There is no legal status immediately after marriage. Marriage in and of itself does not provide any immigration benefit automatically.

It is a long process.

1. First USC (US citizen) applies for a conditional green card for their spouse. The process varies depending on if the spouse was already there in USA on some status or if they are outside USA. If they were already in USA with a valid visa and status, then the process is called a "change of status". If the spouse is outside USA, it is called consular processing. Currently, this step is taking 12-18 months depending on the case load of the local office which has jurisdiction over the case. This step includes the USC having to "sponsor" the spouse and that means the USC needs to meet minimum income requirements. The conditional green card is valid for two years.

2. At the two year mark, the USC again files another form to get the spouse a permanent (10 years) green card. This is called "Removal of Condition" (RoC). This process is now taking anywhere between 2-4 years. Due to this delay, USCIS is temporarily giving a 4 year automatic extension of the conditional green card when they receive an RoC application.

3. The spouse is eligible to apply for citizenship at 3 year mark from the date of receiving the original green card. Many people are applying for that even before the RoC is approved as RoC is taking more time than citizenship.

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There will be no access to my bank accounts/credit cards.

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If you all ever divorce and the spouse then receives any government assistance then you will be on the hook for that.

Look up reddit immigration forum for links like this.