Hi there, I am a British citizen,living with an American girl who is my fiancee. We hope to move to USA to settle and marry. How difficult is this? I must explain that currently my fiancee is residing in the UK with me and has a 5 year work permit here. What is the easiest way to cut through red tape, is it to marry here(UK)or to enter USA on tourist visa and marry there and tackle it from that side . PLEASE HELP, we hope to marry in August 2003 in the USA if possible.

First, in the best of your interests, I need to warn you that under no circumstances should you travel to the U.S. as a visitor with the intention of marrying after your arrival. Doing this would be committing visa/immigration fraud, which could then prevent you from becoming a permanent resident (i.e., getting your green card) and result in your deportation.

As for the best way for you to become a resident, there are two options:
(1) applying for a K-1 visa, traveling to the U.S., marrying in the U.S. within 90 days of your arrival, and, once married, applying for residency
or
(2) marrying in the U.K. and then applying for an immigrant visa (i.e., getting your green card) through the U.S. embassy in London.

To allow us to further discuss your situation (such as the advantages/disadvantages of the two possible options) and how I can help you and your fiancee with the visa application process, please contact me directly to arrange a time to talk.
U.S. immigration law, perhaps even more so than that of the the U.K., is laden with redtape. As your attorney I can ensure that your application is properly prepared and documented to avoid any delays in its processing or in your becoming a permanent resident.