Survivor Benefits for Widows and Widowers of U.S. Citizens
Survivor Benefits Deadline of October 28, 2011 Approaches for Some Widows and Widowers of U.S. Citizens
This update concerns an approaching deadline for certain eligible widows and widowers of U.S. citizens if seeking immigration benefits on the basis of their marriage to the deceased.
Brief Background
On October 28, 2009, Congress amended the law governing immigration benefits for widows and widowers of U.S. citizens. The previous law required a widow(er) to be married to the U.S. citizen spouse for two years before being eligible to seek survivor benefits in the event of the citizen spouse’s death.
The new law eliminates this two-year requirement, allowing the surviving spouse to apply for lawful permanent residence even if married for less than two years prior to the spouse’s death and regardless of whether the spouse had ever filed Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative (I-130 petition).
Deadlines for Filing:
• Widows and Widowers Without Pending Cases:
Eligible widows and widowers of U.S. citizens who died on or after October 28, 2009, but who did not have an I-130 petition pending on October 28, 2009, may file an I-360 petition within two years of the death of the U.S. citizen spouse.
If the death of the U.S. citizen spouse occurred prior to October 28, 2009, the foreign national widow(er) must file an I-360 petition prior to October 28, 2011.
• Widows and Widowers With Pending I-130 Petition:
Qualified widows and widowers of U.S. citizens whose deceased spouse previously filed an I-130 petition on their behalf now have their cases automatically converted to an I-360 petition, when USCIS is notified of the petitioner’s death.
If you were married to a U.S. citizen who recently died before you obtained permanent residence it is important that you contact a qualified lawyer before the October 28th deadline. The law firm of Agnieszka E. Debicki & Associates, LTD. welcomes your comments and questions.