oshoboy88,
Since you ask for
more, here we go. (Next time be careful what you wish for :) )
Free H1B above has said ,"No you can't". I can neither deny or agree to that since he/she didn't clarify as to why.
But, as a general suggestion, I would encourage you to go to USCIS website and download the following forms.
These forms have instructions on how to fill them and these instructions are quite handy. These are the forms you will need if you want to through the marriage petition route.
I-130 ( citizen /green card holder fills this)
I-485 (you fill this)
I- g325a (for biographic information)
I-693 (medical examination)
I-864 (affidavit of support)
I-765 (work authorization card)
I suggest downloading these ,and fill them out yourself as a practice because it will give you an idea on what USCIS is looking for, and also help you formulate questions for your future lawyer if you need one.
There are countless immigration forums in the internet which you can simply Google it. These may not provide the exact answer you are looking for, but they will give you a general sense of the roadway involved.
If you are in New York, City university of New York has free immigration clinics throughout 5 boroughs, and
anyone can get a free advice from a lawyer. Just make sure you write down the questions you wanna ask before you go.
There are also not- for- profit social services that provide free advice, or for very low fees (30/40 dollars)
Again, don't go without being prepared. Have every questions in hand.
As to your question, I still think you should be eligible to apply because if you read instruction in I-130,
it clearly says that a green card holder can apply for a petition. Since you came in f-1 status and you entered the country legally, this is a very good thing.
There are other eligibility requirements.You can read that in the instruction set under "For whom you may not file".
Again, just trying to help since I got some free time. Not a legal advice.
