Overstayed and now getting married

[janthony]

Came to US in 2004 on a J1 visa. Been on the program for 2 years. Meanwhile I decided to stay in the country. I have been illegal since 2006. I have been working for the last 5 years. I have legal SSN on my name,(saying that I can work only with INS authorization, but that seem to be no problem so far), I have been paying taxes all those years and receiving tax returns, I have credit cards, I am renting apartment. Everything is on my name. I live almost like a citizen except that I don’t have an American driving license and I am illegal of course.
I am getting married soon to a US citizen.
What are the steps I should take and what kind of obstacles should I expect on my way to obtain a green card because of overstaying. And, is there anything in particular I should be aware of?
Thank you for all your help.

[barbarajlw]

Came to US in 2004 on a J1 visa. Been on the program for 2 years. Meanwhile I decided to stay in the country. I have been illegal since 2006. I have been working for the last 5 years. I have legal SSN on my name,(saying that I can work only with INS authorization, but that seem to be no problem so far), I have been paying taxes all those years and receiving tax returns, I have credit cards, I am renting apartment. Everything is on my name. I live almost like a citizen except that I don’t have an American driving license and I am illegal of course.
I am getting married soon to a US citizen.
What are the steps I should take and what kind of obstacles should I expect on my way to obtain a green card because of overstaying. And, is there anything in particular I should be aware of?
Thank you for all your help.

Well you have overstayed a long time hhmmmm but most overstays are given AOS with out much problem even though I have heard that USCIS are cracking down on them. As long as you are married to a USC you will then file AOS and 130 together if I remember rightly. As you have been working and paying taxes you will have to document all that and have it for AOS interview. As long as you did not come here with the intent of immigrating and only met your fiancee whilst here then you should be fine. But you have to have good proof of all this.

[daru786]

Came to US in 2004 on a J1 visa. Been on the program for 2 years. Meanwhile I decided to stay in the country. I have been illegal since 2006. I have been working for the last 5 years. I have legal SSN on my name,(saying that I can work only with INS authorization, but that seem to be no problem so far), I have been paying taxes all those years and receiving tax returns, I have credit cards, I am renting apartment. Everything is on my name. I live almost like a citizen except that I don’t have an American driving license and I am illegal of course.
I am getting married soon to a US citizen.
What are the steps I should take and what kind of obstacles should I expect on my way to obtain a green card because of overstaying. And, is there anything in particular I should be aware of?
Thank you for all your help.

Nothing bad is going to happen. You marry the USC, file and I-130, I-485 etc
and apply for your GC. Your over stay is forgiven since you married a USC. In the meantime, DO NOT, DO NOT leave the country till you have the actual physical GREEN CARD in your hand.
Good Luck!

[bosplaya410]

it seems like you have a itin, not a social security number, although they are the same numbers in length, they are completely different from another. regardless, like the previous post stated, you will be forgiven of working illegally and overstay just because of your usc spouse.