What are the possible signs he only married me for a green card? Are there things I need to know?
A green card, officially known as a Permanent Resident Card, is a document issued by the US government that allows non-US citizens to live and work in the country permanently.
Obtaining a green card is a dream for many worldwide who hope to live the American dream. Unfortunately, some people will do anything to get their hands on one, including marrying a US citizen solely for immigration purposes.
Green card marriages, also known as sham marriages, are common in the US. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) estimates that around 30,000 fraudulent marriage cases are discovered yearly. These marriages are entered solely to obtain a green card, and once the green card is received, the marriage often falls apart.
If you’re reading this post, you’re likely worried that your spouse may have married you for a green card. This is a valid concern and one that should not be taken lightly. In this post, we’ll discuss 15 signs that your spouse may have only married you for a green card and what you can do if you suspect fraud.
What Is A Green Card Marriage?
A green card marriage, also known as a sham or fraudulent marriage, is a marriage entered solely to obtain a green card.
In these marriages, the US citizen or permanent resident spouse agrees to sponsor their foreign spouse’s immigration application, and the foreign spouse agrees to marry the US citizen or permanent resident.
The motivations for entering into a green card marriage are often financial or based on a desire for a better life in the US. Many see a green card as a ticket to better job opportunities, higher salaries, and a more stable future.
Others may seek to escape poverty, political instability, or other difficult circumstances in their home country.
However, entering into a green card marriage is illegal and can have severe consequences for the US citizen or permanent resident spouse and the foreign spouse. In addition to fines and imprisonment, those who engage in fraudulent marriage can be barred from entering the US.
15 Clear Signs He Only Married Me For A Green Card
There are a lot of signs that your husband only married you for a green card. But for he purpose of this article, we will only focus on 15 top signs and they include:
1. Lack Of Emotional Intimacy
When two people get married, they usually form a deep emotional connection based on love and mutual respect. However, if your spouse is only interested in obtaining a green card, they may not be emotionally invested in the relationship.
They may not show affection, and they may be distant and detached. You may feel like you’re not connecting with your spouse on an emotional level, and they may not seem interested in getting to know you better.
They may not even be interested in having physical intimacy. They may be cold and distant, and this can cause a lot of emotional pain for the partner who is genuinely interested in the marriage.
If you suspect your spouse is only interested in you for a green card, you should try to talk to them and see if they are willing to open up and connect with you emotionally.
2. Refusal To Introduce You To Friends And Family
If your spouse is only interested in obtaining a green card, they may not want to introduce you to their friends and family. They may avoid taking you to social events or family gatherings, or they may only introduce you to a select few people.
This could be because they don’t want their friends and family to know the marriage is fraudulent. They may also be afraid that their friends and family will ask questions revealing that the marriage is not genuine.
If your spouse is unwilling to introduce you to their friends and family, this is a big red flag. It may be a sign that they are not serious about the relationship and may only be interested in obtaining a green card.
3. Avoidance Of Discussing Plans
If your spouse is only interested in obtaining a green card, they may not be interested in planning a future with you. They may avoid discussing long-term plans, such as buying a house, starting a family, or going on vacations.
They may not be willing to commit to a future with you because they know their interest in the relationship is solely based on obtaining a green card. They may also be hesitant to make long-term plans because they know they may have to leave the country once their green card is obtained.
If your spouse is not interested in planning a future with you, this is a big red flag. It may be a sign that they are not serious about the relationship and may only be interested in obtaining a green card.
4. Pressuring You To Sponsor His Relatives For Immigration
If your spouse is only interested in obtaining a green card, they may pressure you into supporting their relatives for immigration. This is a common tactic that fraudulent spouses use to make themselves appear more legitimate.
They may ask you to sponsor their siblings, parents, or other relatives for immigration, even if you don’t know them well. This is a red flag, and you should be very cautious about agreeing to sponsor anyone for immigration.
If your spouse is pressuring you to support their relatives, this may be a sign that they are not serious about the relationship and may only be interested in obtaining a green card.
5. Unwillingness To Share Finances
If your spouse is only interested in obtaining a green card, they may not be willing to share finances with you. They may be hesitant to combine bank accounts or to make joint purchases.
This is because they may be afraid that if they share their finances with you, you may discover that they are not financially stable or as invested in the relationship as they should be.
If your spouse is unwilling to share finances with you, this is a big red flag. It may be a sign that they are not serious about the relationship and may only be interested in obtaining a green card.
6. Lack Of Interest In Your Culture And Traditions
If your spouse is only interested in obtaining a green card, they may not be interested in your culture or traditions. They may not be willing to participate in your cultural celebrations, or they may be dismissive of your cultural practices.
This is because they may not be interested in building a genuine connection with you and may only be interested in getting their green card.
An honest spouse would show respect for their partner’s culture and traditions and would be willing to participate in them, even if it is not something they are used to.
7. Reluctance To Participate In Your Religious Practices
If your spouse is only interested in obtaining a green card, they may not be willing to participate in your spiritual practices. They may not be interested in attending religious services with you, or they may be dismissive of your religious beliefs.
This is because they may not be interested in building a genuine connection with you and may only be interested in getting their green card.
An honest spouse would show respect for their partner’s religious practices and would be willing to participate in them, even if it is not something they are used to.
8. Only Discussing Immigration-related Topics
If your spouse is only interested in obtaining a green card, they may only want to discuss immigration-related issues. They may not be interested in conversing about your day or feelings, and they may only want to talk about the green card process.
This is a red flag and may be a sign that they are not interested in building a genuine connection with you.
9. Disappearing For Long Periods
If your spouse is only interested in obtaining a green card, they may disappear for long periods. They may claim they are busy with work or other obligations, but this may be a cover-up for their lack of interest in the relationship.
They may also spend time with others, helping them with their green card applications. If your spouse disappears for long periods without a valid explanation, this is a red flag, and you should be cautious.
10. Refusal To Attend Marriage Counseling
If your spouse is only interested in obtaining a green card, they may be hesitant to participate in marriage counseling.
They may feel like they do not need it because their primary goal is getting a green card, and they may not be interested in working on the relationship.
If your spouse is unwilling to attend marriage counseling, this is a red flag, and it may be a sign that they are not interested in building a genuine connection with you.
11. Overbearing Control Over Your Life
If your spouse is only interested in obtaining a green card, they may try to control every aspect of your life. They may control who you see, what you do, and where you go.
This is because they may be afraid that you may discover that the relationship is not genuine if you have too much independence.
If your spouse is overbearing and controlling, this is a red flag, and it may be a sign that they are not interested in building a genuine connection with you.
12. Conflicting Stories About His Immigration Status
If your spouse is only interested in obtaining a green card, they may give you conflicting reports about their immigration status. They may tell you their paperwork is in order but later claim they need help with the application process.
This inconsistency may be a sign that they need to be more truthful about their motivations for the relationship.
13. Sudden Change In Behavior After Receiving The Green Card
If your spouse is only interested in obtaining a green card, you may notice a sudden change in their behavior after they receive it.
They may become distant and cold, or they may start to push you away. This is because they may have achieved their goal of obtaining a green card and may no longer see the need to maintain the relationship.
This sudden behavior change is a major red flag and may signify that they only married you for the green card.
14. Refusal To Apply For Citizenship
If your spouse is only interested in obtaining a green card, they may hesitate to apply. This is because once they become a citizen, they no longer need to be married to you to maintain their status in the US.
If your spouse is unwilling to apply for Citizenship, this is a red flag and maybe a sign that they only married you for the green card.
15. Threatening To Leave You Once He Gets His Green Card
If your spouse is only interested in obtaining a green card, they may threaten to leave you once they get it.
They may feel like they no longer need to be married to you to maintain their status in the US, and they may not be interested in maintaining the relationship.
If your spouse threatens to leave you once they get their green card, this is a major red flag, and you should take it seriously.
Conclusion
If you suspect that your spouse only married you for a green card, it’s essential to take action to protect yourself and your future.
Look for signs such as a lack of emotional intimacy, reluctance to participate in your culture and traditions, and only discussing immigration-related topics.
Seek legal advice and support from friends and family, and consider marriage counseling if you want to try to save the marriage. If you decide that divorce is the best option, prepare yourself emotionally and financially, and seek the help of a divorce lawyer.
Remember, reporting fraud to USCIS is always an option if you believe your spouse has committed fraud to obtain a green card.
If you are currently in a green card marriage or considering entering one, it is essential to understand the risks and consequences.
While a green card marriage may seem like a quick and easy way to obtain legal status in the US, it can have severe legal and emotional consequences. Building a genuine relationship based on mutual respect and love is the best way to make a life together in the US.