How to become a US citizen
How I did it: I am from Mexico. I married a U.S. citizen and we lived in Mexico for about 6 years. I initially had no intentions of moving to the U.S. so I did not file immigration paperwork right after the marriage. My dream then was to practice corporate law in Mexico.
I petitioned for legal residence probably after 3 or 4 years in the marriage. Shortly after I became a legal permanent resident and I graduated law school we moved to his hometown in the U.S. because he wanted to be close to his family.
When we moved to the U.S. he did not want to work and after a while, I divorced him. In our last year together, he did not disclose earnings from his gamblings (without my knowledge) and since we filed taxes jointly it ended up affecting me when I was interviewed for citizenship. Honest as I am, I explained the issue with the IRS at the citizenship interview and the fact that I was submitting an IRS relief. The INS gave me a month to pay the taxes, which I did and they made me wait one an additional year for the oath ceremony.
Lessons & tips: Here are my two cents for those who marry U.S. citizens:
1) Even if you are not planning to move to the U.S. right away, have your spouse file for legal status for you.
2) If somehow you end up having any unpaid taxes (even if it was not your fault and your spouse is the one owing them, pay them right away, no questions asked before you go to the citizenship interview). I filed for a relief petition for innocent spouse with the IRS and submitted all documentation but they denied it. I should have PAID first and then look for relief.)
Sometimes shit happens and even if you are innocent, don't be righteous and make sure you are clear before the INS eyes.
Remember that no matter how legal you are, anybody can get deported except for citizens.
Best luck to all those looking for citizenship.
Resources: Having a friend who is an immigration attorney who went with me to check the status of my case. Had I not done this, he said I would have been waiting longer.
