Widows Law Considered Cruel and Unfair by Many

A law, which was written to prevent fraudulent marriages, is now being called cruel to grieving widows, the immigrant husbands and wives of American citizens. According to U.S. immigration law, an immigrant whose spouse dies before the couple reaches their two-year anniversary faces deportation. The Miami Herald recently published an editorial denouncing this practice and calling for a change to the law to be passed by Congress.

The article noted that efforts in Congress have failed in the past, but that this current administration should make another attempt. In many cases, the grieving widows and widowers are given only enough time to pack up their belongings before they are sent from the United States. Work and student visas permit some to stay in the United States for a limited amount of time.

Many also question the “two years” regulation. Lawmakers wonder what the significance of this anniversary is and why it should determine whether or not a marriage was legitimate. Congress has been asked to rewrite the laws that define the situations and circumstances that may be considered a fraudulent attempt at marriage and therefore, citizenship.