Is working illegally forgiven for F1 visa if they marry a U.S. citizen?
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I entered the United States legally on an F-1 visa but worked without proper CPT, OPT, or other employment authorization. I later married a U.S. citizen and am planning to apply for a marriage-based green card through adjustment of status. Is unauthorized employment generally forgiven for the spouse of a U.S. citizen, or could it still cause the application to be denied under current immigration policies? Does it matter how long the person worked, whether the income was reported for taxes, or whether incorrect information was provided on Form I-9? I would also like to understand how issues such as using someone else’s Social Security number, falsely claiming U.S. citizenship, overstaying, or failing to maintain F-1 status could affect the case. Recent 2026 experiences would be appreciated.
