United States Third Circuit

A legal separation for purposes of a derivative citizenship claim occurs only upon a formal governmental action, such as a decree issued by a court of competent jurisdiction that, under the laws of a state or nation having jurisdiction over the marriage, alters the marital relationship of the parties.

Appellate Information

• Decided 12/21/2005
• Published 12/21/2005

Judges

• Before RENDELL, FUENTES and WEIS, Circuit Judges.

Court

• United States Third Circuit

Counsel

• For Appellant:
  
• Orest Bezpalko, II, Michniak, Bezpalko & Associates, Philadelphia, PA, for Petitioner.


• For Appellees:
  
• Christopher C. Fuller, Linda S. Wendtland, Thankful T. Vanderstar, Saul Greenstein, United States Department of Justice Office of Immigration Litigation, Washington, DC, for Respondent.