The act of informing United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) about the dissolution of a marriage is a crucial step for individuals whose immigration status is in some way connected to that marriage. For instance, a foreign national whose green card application is pending based on marriage to a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident is obligated to communicate this change in marital status to the agency. Failing to do so can have significant ramifications for their immigration case.
The importance of this notification stems from the fact that a divorce alters the legal basis for many immigration benefits. A marriage-based green card, for example, is fundamentally premised on the existence of a valid, ongoing marital relationship. Informing USCIS allows the agency to properly assess the individual’s continued eligibility for immigration benefits, potentially averting future complications, such as denial of applications or even deportation proceedings. While divorce can introduce challenges to obtaining or maintaining legal status, proactive and transparent communication with USCIS helps ensure procedural compliance and can help in exploring alternative paths to lawful residence where available.
