What Immigrants Should Know if Divorcing in Massachusetts

On Behalf of | Jun 14, 2017 | Immigration |

Immigration issues have long occupied the thoughts of Massachusett’s family law attorneys. When clients are immigrants or have immigrant spouses who aren’t U.S. citizens, they may face some unexpected hurdles as they navigate the court system.

Immigration issues arise in family law cases in a variety of ways. For example, if there has been marriage fraud (i.e., marrying a U.S. citizen to obtain permanent residence (a green card), not only will the immigrant be removed from the U.S., but he or she will also be ineligible to receive any future immigration benefits. And the U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse may be subject to criminal prosecution and incarceration.

Domestic violence situations may also pose issues for the family law practitioner, especially if an undocumented immigrant fears that reporting the violence to police or bringing a restraining order in either the Probate and Family Court or District Court will result in deportation.

An area that’s likely unfamiliar to many family law attorneys concerns guarantees of support for an immigrant spouse by a U.S. citizen spouse by means of a federal support affidavit (Affidavit of Support Under §213A of the INA (USCIS Form I-864)). Signing one of these may well trump an otherwise valid agreement between the parties or family court order.

This recently played out in Erler v Erler, a husband who executed a federal support affidavit by which he agreed to provide his Turkish immigrant wife with any financial support needed to maintain her at a federally-defined level was not necessarily relieved of his support obligation despite the couple’s divorce and the fact that their premarital agreement provided that neither would be entitled to alimony or support! It’s clear that the circumstances in which a sponsor’s obligations end under an I-864 support affidavit are very limited.

Given that there are so many issues involving immigrant spouses, particularly with our high immigrant population, every Massachusetts family law attorney should at least become familiar with immigration issues. And it’s critical that family law practitioners know enough to spot problem areas and refer the case to competent immigration counsel.

Should you be in the midst of a divorce or contemplating divorce, contact the Law Offices of Renee Lazar either through email or telephone 978-844-4095 to schedule a FREE one hour no obligation to discuss your particular situation.

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