Legal Question in Immigration Law in Colorado

Re: Citizenship

Well, the first thing you must do if you haven't already is petition for you wife. Petition using the I-130 form. If your girlfriend entered the U.S. illegally, she is going to have to return to Mexico anyway and consular process. It's the only way, unless someone had petitioned for her prior to 2001. I suggest you get a lawyer to get you through. If she has no criminal issues, things may go quickly but there is no guarantee. Good luck!

Re: Citizenship

If your wife entered the U.S. with a visa, you should file the I-130 petition with her concurrently with the I-485 application to adjust status and I-765 aaplication for the employment authorization document. Within 90 days from the day of filing, she will get the employment authorization document, which will allow her to obtain the social security card. She will be able to travel only after she gets the green card. Since she was in the U.S. without a status for more than a year, the advance parole document, which in general allows to travle while pending the green card, will not work for her and might create plenty of problems. Therefore, she should not travel until she gets her green card. If she entered the U.S. illegally, the process is much more complicated and you will definitely need an attorney to review your wife's documents and process them in a proper way. Good Luck!