KADALASAN, kapag ang petitioner ng I-130 Petition for Alien Relative ay namatay, ang petition ay automatically revoked. Subalit may mga beneficiary at family members na pinapahintulutang ipagpatuloy ang kanilang pag-apply ng immigration benefit, kahit namatay na ang petitioner. Ang mga biyudo at biyuda ng mga US citizen (USC) ay kasama sa statutory definition ng immediate relative at maaaring makakuha ng survivor benefits sa ilalim ng Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
Kung ang USC ay namatay at may naiwang asawa, ang kanyang biyudo or biyuda (“biyuda”), ay may classification pa rin na immediate relative at mananatiling eligible para sa mga immigration benefit. Kung walang pending I-130 Petition noong mamatay ang USC, ang biyuda ay maaaring mag-file ng I-360 Self-Petition bilang immediate relative. Ang I-360 Petition ay kailangang i-file sa loob ng 2 taon mula sa petsa ng pagkamatay ng USC. Kung ay biyuda ay nasa US, maaari rin siyang mag-file ng kanyang I-485 Adjustment of Status Application o Green Card Application kasabay ng I-360 Petition. Kung ang biyuda ay nasa labas ng US, ang kanyang immigrant visa application ay dadaan sa consular processing.
Ang biyuda ay kailangang magbigay ng abiso sa USCIS tungkol sa pagkamatay ng USC petitioner kung may pending o approved I-130 Petition. Pagkatanggap ng abiso, ang pending o approved I-130 ay gagawing I-360 Petition ng USCIS. Ang biyuda ay hindi kailangang mag-refile ng petition at wala na siyang babayarang filing fees.
Upang ipagpatuloy ang immigration process pagkatapos ng pagkamatay ng USC, ang biyuda ay hindi maaaring mag-asawa muli bago matanggap ang kanyang green card o immigrant visa. Kailangan ding ipakita ng biyuda na sila ay may legal na kasal sa USC noong mamatay ang USC, at walang divorce o legal separation noong mamatay ang USC. Kung ang biyuda ay nasa removal proceedings o deportation proceedings noong kasal, kailangang ipakita pa rin ng biyuda na may “clear and convincing evidence” na totoo ang kanyang kasal sa yumaong USC upang makakuha siya ng green card.
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Generally, when the petitioner of an I-130 Petition for Alien Relative dies, the petition is automatically revoked. However, certain beneficiaries and family members are allowed to continue seeking immigration benefits, even after the petitioner has died. Widows and widowers of US citizens (USCs) are included in the statutory definition of immediate relative and may avail of survivor benefits under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
If a USC spouse dies leaving his widow/widower (“widow”), the widow remains under the classification of immediate relative and continues to be eligible to obtain immigration benefits. If there was no pending I-130 Petition at the time of the USC’s death, the widow can file an I-360 Self-Petition as an immediate relative. The I-360 Petition must be filed within 2 years of the USC’s death. If the widow is present in the US, the I-485 Adjustment of Status Application or Green Card Application can be filed simultaneously with the I-360 Petition. If the widow is abroad, the immigrant visa application will be done through consular processing overseas.
If there is a pending or approved I-130 Petition at the time of the USC’s death, the widow must inform USCIS of the death of the USC petitioning spouse. Upon receiving notification, USCIS will automatically convert a pending or approved I-130 Petition for Alien Relative to an I-360 Self Petition, and the widow does not need to refile nor pay additional filing fees. The date of filing is deemed to be the date the initial I-130 Petition was filed. Otherwise, the I-360 Petition initiates the process for availing immigration benefits for the widow.
In order to continue with the immigration process after the death of the USC, the widow must not remarry before receiving the green card or immigrant visa (if abroad). The widow must also show that she was legally married to the USC at the time of death, and that there was no divorce or legal separation at the time of death. If the widow was in removal proceedings at the time of the marriage, the “clear and convincing evidence” standard under the INA will apply to the adjudication of her adjustment of status or green card application.
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ATTY. RHEA SAMSON is a Partner at LINDAIN & SAMSON LAW FIRM. Atty. Lindain and Atty. Samson are both licensed to practice law in California and in the Philippines. Both Attorneys were also professors. LINDAIN & SAMSON LAW FIRM aims to provide excellent and efficient legal representation to clients, and support clients in achieving their goals and dreams. As professors, Atty. Lindain and Atty. Samson wish to educate the younger generation, as it is through education and continuous study that one can achieve success and serve others.
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3580 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1710, Los Angeles, CA 90010
Call or text us: (213) 381.5710
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