After filing an I-130 for a spouse as a green card holder, the client quickly naturalized as a U.S. citizen, freeing the spouse's case from the visa backlog.

Petitions by green card holders for spouses are subject to a backlog that moves slowly. After naturalizing, the client had to answer an I-130 RFE with ongoing evidence of a genuine marriage.

After naturalization, we moved the case forward immediately without waiting in the backlog, and used joint bank statements, joint utility bills, joint tax returns, photos, and a shared lease to show the couple was "still in love now."

Within 11 months, the spouse received a work permit and advance parole and was formally approved for a green card (I-130 filed 3/2024 · naturalized 4/2024 · combo card received 9/2024 · green card approved 2/2025).