abandonar said:
much more likely that I will just take her to the US sooner if the Colonia option goes away.
As for lazy, I have way better things to do with my time than wait in lines. I like Argentina alot, but in part because I avoid anything that possibly has a line. If I had to wait in all the lines, I would have left Argentina years ago. Getting residency has always sounded like 30+ hours total of waiting in line.
Do either of the following "options" sound easier than you getting (automatic) permanent residency in Argentina?
Marry abroad and spouse enters (the USA) on an immigrant visa.
You may marry abroad and file an immediate relative visa petition after returning to the U.S. Adjudication of the petition generally takes three to eight months and then, after it is approved, the processing of the immigrant visa application may take an additional five to eight months.
Note: You may also file the immediate relative petition with the U.S. embassy or consulate in your foreign spouse’s home country under certain circumstances, which is generally quicker than filing it in the U.S.
Marry abroad and spouse enters (the USA) on K-3 visa.
You may marry abroad and file an I-130 immediate relative petition after returning to the U.S. On receipt of Form I-797, you may file I-129F with the USCIS. Approval of a K-3 petition may take three to six months and then, after it is approved, the processing of the K-3 visa at the consulate may take an additional two to four months.
Read more here:
http://www.visapro.com/Immigration-Articles/?a=349&z=36
You won't spend nearly as much time waiting in lines to get your residency in Argentina compared to getting your wife into the USA. Here you can get the turnos on line and will rarely have to wait more than 30 minutes (usually sitting as opposed to standing in line) for your name to be called.
You won't have to pay an attorney, either.
Also, I believe your wife might have to wait in Argentina until her USA visa is granted (at least eight months).