What Happens if My Spouse and I Separate After Filing a Joint I-751 Petition?
One of the most stressful situations I see in immigration practice is when a couple files a joint I-751 petition and then the marriage begins to fall apart while the case is still pending. Unfortunately, this happens quite often. Given current USCIS processing times, it is becoming even more common since petitions may remain pending…
If I file a joint I-751 with my spouse and we separate (but are still married), should I file a Change of Address with USCIS?
When spouses join in the filing of an I-751 petition and then separate, but stay married, the question arises as to whether they should file a Change of Address with USCIS. My answer to this question is usually that it depends upon whether: (1) the parties have physically separated and are living in different residence…
Separated but not Divorced. Navigating the Jointly filed I-751 Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence – PART III
On November 30, 2018, USCIS issued a Policy Memorandum entitled “Revised Interview Waiver Guidance for Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence.” Although it applies to all I-751 petitions (not just joint petitions filed by spouses who are separated but not divorced), because it answers some of the common questions that my clients ask…
Separated but not Divorced. Navigating the Jointly filed I-751 Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence – PART II
During the course of the more than 25 years that I have been an Immigration Lawyer, I have encountered my fair share of cases and situations where the primary driving force behind the problem I am attempting to solve is due to a change in circumstances that a family is experiencing. This can happen in…
Separated but not Divorced. Navigating the Jointly filed I-751 Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence
UPDATE: Note that I have updated and supplemented this blog with a Part II HERE and a Part III HERE. On occasion, when it comes time for a conditional permanent resident to file the I-751 Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence (based upon a marriage to a U.S. citizen), the marriage has broken down and…



