Famecrawler
Balloon Boy’s Parents Will Plead Guilty Tomorrow, Mom Could Be Deported
The parents of “Balloon Boy” Falcon Heene have agreed to a plead guilty to charges of “attempting to influence a public servant” and “false reporting to authorities” tomorrow. Richard and Mayumi Heene are turning themselves in to a county judge in order to secure lighter penalties and prevent Mayumi from being deported back to Japan.
Richard Heene will cop a plea to felony charges that could, as stipulated in the deal, land him in jail for up to 90 days. While Mayumi could get 60 days.
Another cornerstone of the plea bargain has to do with Mayumi’s citizenship status. Apparently, she’s still a citizen of Japan, and a felony conviction could get her deported. So, the couple decided to work a plea bargain in order to avoid the risk. From a statement made by the Sheriff’s office:
“It is supremely ironic that law enforcement has expressed such grave concern over the welfare of the children, but it was ultimately the threat of taking the children’s mother from the family and deporting her to Japan which fueled this deal.”
Maybe I’m wrong here, but I thought that once you’d married an American citizen, you were granted citizenship. Isn’t that how it works?
What do you think about the plea deal? Did the Heene’s get off too easy?
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3 Comments
SeaOtter commented on Nov 12 09 at 10:11 pmNo, if you marry an American citizen you can apply for a green card to become a legal resident of the U.S. This green card has to be renewed first after 5 years, then after 8 years (I think). You still remain a citizen of the country you were born in. After a certain amount of time – you have either been a legal resident for 5 years, OR a legal resident for 3 years and married to a U.S. citizen for the last 3 years and the spouse has been a U.S. citizen for the last 3 years – you can apply for U.S. citizenship, but you do not have to. It is not *that* easy!!
Carla commented on Nov 13 09 at 8:03 amIt also depends on the country the spouse is from. Some find it easier than others to get a green card. My husband is from Britain and it took nearly a year. I know of a couple where the husband is Moroccan and it has been several years and he still isn’t here yet It can be a long, complicated and expensive process.
pierceyamazaki commented on Nov 13 09 at 5:35 pmShe can still be deported regardless of green card.
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