Please provide a valid Zip Code or City and choose a category. Please choose a category from the list. Please select a city from the list and choose a category. Please enter a valid zip code or city. Please select a city from the list. Connecting …. Are You a Lawyer? Grow Your Practice. Jose Rivera Managing Editor Editor.
Last Updated: Jul 6, Choose Your Legal Category: Family. Criminal Defense. Real Estate. Personal Injury. Intellectual Property. Other Legal Categories. X 1 Enter Zip Code or City this may not be the same place you live. Scroll down for more categories. X Most Common Issues:. We've helped over 5 million people. Though the practice has long been illegal under state and federal law, the Utah attorney general's office has declined to prosecute the offense, except when it's committed along with other crimes.
Read More. The new law makes the attorney general's policy official. Supporters of the law say that reducing the penalty for bigamy removes barriers that previously prevented potential abuse victims from coming forward for fear of prosecution. Bill's sponsor called previous law unenforceable. Practicing polygamy as a legal resident of the United States will not only likely result in denial of your naturalization application, but grounds for deportation.
If you have not personally had multiple spousal relationships at the same time, but you have had a relationship with someone you considered a spouse whether that relationship was legally recognized or not and that person had other spousal type relationships at the same time, USCIS may determine that you are a polygamist.
This is true regardless of whether your partner was living in the U. It is especially true if you or your partner come from a country where polygamy is practiced, whether legally or culturally. You should definitely not apply for naturalization without first terminating that relationship or making certain that your partner has terminated all other relationships. You should also wait to apply for naturalization until five years or other applicable good moral character period after the end of the relationship, unless you have a good explanation for why you got involved in the relationship; an explanation that makes it clear you did not intend to practice polygamy.
If you knew your partner was a practicing polygamist, or if you want to apply without waiting, you should definitely consult with an immigration attorney first. Remember, USCIS examining officers are trained to spot polygamous behavior in applicants for naturalization who come from countries where polygamy is part of the culture.
If you were knowingly involved with polygamy or polygamists, your application for naturalization is at risk of denial no matter who you were in the web of relationships. The information provided on this site is not legal advice, does not constitute a lawyer referral service, and no attorney-client or confidential relationship is or will be formed by use of the site.
The attorney listings on this site are paid attorney advertising. In some states, the information on this website may be considered a lawyer referral service. Please reference the Terms of Use and the Supplemental Terms for specific information related to your state. Grow Your Legal Practice. Meet the Editors. Citizenship Complications and Bars to Eligibility for U.
Will You Be Denied U. Bigamy and polygamy may be considered crimes, and may bar eligibility for citizenship. What Bigamy Means Under U. Immigration Law Bigamy is the crime of being intentionally married to more than one spouse at a time. The raid in Texas on a polygamous sect suggests that the issue over polygamy and the First Amendment may continue well into the 21st century. This article was originally published in Constitution, the Supreme Court, and money, politics, and the First Amendment.
Schultz, David. David Schultz, — New York: Peter Lang Publishing, Stevens, Hugh. Schwartz, John. David Schultz. Polygamy [electronic resource]. Other articles in Issues Related to Religion.
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