Opinion ID: 2716505
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Duque's marriage and status adjustment

Text: On May 2, 2002, Duque, a native and citizen of Venezuela, was admitted to the United States as a visitor. On December 10, 2004, Duque married Gladys López (Gladys), a U.S. citizen. Following the marriage, Duque's status was adjusted to lawful permanent resident on a conditional basis.1 1 Pursuant to § 216(a)(1) of the Immigration and Naturalization Act (INA), 8 U.S.C. §§ 1186a(a)(1), any alien who obtains lawfulpermanent-resident status based on marriage to a United States citizen, obtains said status on a conditional basis. In order to remove the conditional basis, the married couple must file a joint petition to remove the conditions -- i.e., an I-751 petition -- and appear for an interview with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to answer questions and provide information showing that the marriage is bona fide. 8 U.S.C. §§ 1186a(c)(1), (d); 8 C.F.R. §§ 216.4. -2-