Getting a green card after marriage Residency process is daunting but manageable when taken slowly with help and organization, say students and advisor
BY KILLIAN CANTO
Married couples with an international spouse on a visa said going through the U.S. green card process can be overwhelming because of the cost, amount of forms, and stress of importance. However, by communicating with those who’ve completed the process, saving money, and taking the process step-by-step cautiously, those who’ve experienced the process said getting a green card is achievable. U.S. citizen Melina Sy, a senior from Utah studying marine biology, shared her experience filing for a green card for her husband from the Philippines. Sy said, “It’s like when you have a big assignment.You don’t want to start it, but once you have, you realize it isn’t too bad.” She shared how it was initially overwhelming, but as they took it step by step, they were able to manage. Ted Guildner works at International Student Services on campus. After pointing out he has extensive history working with Immigration Services and going through the process with his wife, he said he has the right qualifications to help. He said students should not be worried because, “You’re not alone.” 18
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Guildner said it can be overwhelming for couples “because it is something new and ... a lot at once.” Teal Baniago, a sophomore from Florida studying communications and political science, married a man from the Philippines, and she said filling out the forms is a lot of work, but it’s necessary. Baniago shared how her husband’s motivation and the campus ISS Department have encouraged her through the process so far. Sy agreed with Guildner’s sentiment while talking about watching one of her friends go through the process. Sy said, “I [did not] even know what to do to get a green card. I had never thought about it.” She said she was intimidated by all the required information and was nervous about making errors. Guildner broke down his process with students, saying after he gives them the online of sources they need, students need to read the instructions and fill out the required forms as best they can. If students get stuck on a question, Guildner offered encouragement, assuring students not to worry if they can’t understand. He said students should write down what they
don’t understand because later he’ll work with the students to fix the forms “when you come in for your review.” Nedding to get her husband’s green card before they could come to school, Adrienne Miyabe, an alumna from Ohio, married a Japanese citizen, and she said was mainly worried about how long the process took, including filling out the forms and hearing back from USCIS for the biometrics and possible interview. According to Miyabe, her cousin took two years to get through the process. “We were kind of like freaking out,” Miyabe said. “There’s always the chance of getting declined.” Baniago explained her fears revolved around rumors of recent changes in the process. She told stories she had heard about spouses being sent back due to mistakes on their application. She said she wondered, “Is this going [to get] difficult?” Guildner said he gets visits from students who are overwhelmed with the experience. “They don’t know what to do, how hard it’ll be, what it’ll cost.” He agreed the process is intimidating. “There’s a lot. They look at this piece of paper,
