Widows of US Citizens Will Be Granted Deferred Action
US Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano recently announced that widows of US Citizens will be granted deferred action for two years. Previously, foreign nationals who married US citizens via the Marriage Green Card but whose US citizen spouse died before they were able to obtain benefits were not eligible for immigration benefits. The DHS will now recognize that these widows along with their unmarried children under 18 years of age the right to remain in the US and will defer initiation of removal proceedings, cancel current removal proceedings and will accept applications foe humanitarian reinstatement for those who have had petitions revoked.
These new benefits apply to all spouse of US citizens and their unmarried children under 18 years who were married for less than two years at the time of the US citizen spouse’s death. In addition, the widows may be granted work authorization provided they may show economic necessity. The DHS is encouraging the legislation of new laws which would allow these widows the ability to apply for permanent residence as well.
See the entire press release here.
In: Marriage Green Card, Removal, Widows of US Citizens · Tagged with: Marriage Green Card, Removal, Widows of US Citizens