Understanding Marriage Annulment: When & How to Proceed

Question
MY BROTHER JUST GOT MARRIED LAST MONTH TO A WOMAN WHO PRESSURED HIM INTO IT. COME TO FIND OUT, SHE IS AN ILLEGAL ALIEN FROM ST. LUCIA AND NEEDED TO GET MARRIED TO BECOME A CITIZEN.  SHE TRICKED MY BROTHER INTO THE MARRIAGE BY TELLING HIM SHE LOVED HIM AND NEEDED TO GET MARRIED. SO AFTER ABOUT 6-7 MONTHS OF DATING,THEY WENT DOWN TO CITY HALL IN NEW YORK CITY AND GOT MARRIED. NOW MY BROTHER TELLS ME SHE DON'T WANT THEM TO MOVE IN TOGETHER. I FEEL BAD FOR MY BROTHER FOR BEING TRICKED INTO THIS MARRIAGE. IS IT TOO LATE FOR AN ANNULMENT AND CAN MY BROTHER FILE CHARGES WITH IMMIGRATION, WHAT STEPS CAN HE TAKE TO GET THIS MARRIAGE ANNULLED?

Answer
Hi Judy~

Yes, he can file for an annulment and end the marriage.  He can probably file something with INS.  He should check into that, since he was tricked into marriage.  In order to obtain an annulment he needs to file the appropriate paperwork.  It's somewhat similar to filing for a divorce (just a bit different).  He should talk to a lawyer (most give free consultations) and see what his rights are, and how to go about filing the proper paperwork to get the annulment started.  He can file an annulment up to a year, from the date of marriage.