If you immigrated to the United States and got married here, which allowed you to get a green card, you may have some challenges to face if you decide to then get a divorce in California. Immigration is a hot button issue currently. If you are not a legal citizen or do not have legal status as an immigrant, then it is smart to be concerned about your future. At the same time, if you are unhappy in your marriage, it is not fair that you have to stay married to stay in the country. Luckily, that is not really how it works.
Forbes explains that you can probably stay in the country even if you do get a divorce. Your chances are best if you have been married for longer than two years. Once you hit that two-year mark and have your immigration status reviewed, you should get permanent residency. If you divorce after this point, then you can remain in the country without an issue. If you try to divorce before the two-year mark though, the chances are pretty good that you will have to leave the country.
If you do get a divorce, you may also be subject to some scrutiny by immigration authorities. They may want proof that your marriage was legal and that you did not get married just to gain citizenship.
You also need to be vigilant about staying legal. Make sure to meet all requirements, file all documents and reply to any requests. If you fail to do this, you could face a situation where you cannot reenter the country for anywhere from three to ten years. You will need to be more vigilant than you were when you were married. This information is for education and is not legal advice.
