Step-children defined under New Jersey Immigration Law | Immigration Attorney | Eatontown NJ

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Does Immigration Law recognize step-children

Your natural-born children born during your marriage are obviously recognized under the immigration laws. But are step-children also recognized? Yes. Your stepchild is a child for immigration purposes if the marriage that creates the stepparent-stepchild relationship took place before the child turns 18. However, where the marriage creating the stepchild relationship ended by death, divorce, or legal separation, you must prove that the relationship continues to exist.Example: Juana, a lawful permanent resident, marries George who has has a 10-year-old daughter, Soledad. Can Juana petition Soledad as her child?
Answer: Yes. Since George and Juana married before Soledad reached the age of 18, Soledad is Gina’s child for immigration purposes. Soledad became Juana’s stepchild as of the date of the marriage.

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