I have to get married or my boyfriend will be deported

[Alice S. Fuzzybutt]

Yesterday he got the news that, after FIVE years of being gainfully employed, a law-abiding LEGAL resident, a full-fledged taxpayer, student, and volunteer (to give back for all the opportunities he's been given here), he is being denied a renewal on his resident status.

We were planning on getting married anyway. It's just been been pushed up!

He came home last night, with tears in his eyes, saying, "They're making me go back to Ecuador! I don't want to leave you!"

So we trotted off to JC City Hall. Unfortunately, I didn't have copy of my divorce decree. Of course, NJ government websites are confusing. I can't tell if I need a CERTIFIED copy (which I'm sure I need but it doesn't say that anywhere) and where I can attain it (Trenton has divorce records for 1900 through 1989. No idea where to go for divorce papers from 2003. Seacaucus? Maybe Jersey City-- where the divorce was granted?!?! NO IDEA!!).

I'm really stressed right now, as is he, even moreso. They're only giving him a MONTH to settle his life here. How do they expect someone who's been here for five years to do that?!?! I know for a fact that he's the best guy and hardest-working person at his job (I heard that from his boss). He goes to school and works so hard to improve his English. He SO appreciates the opportunities that he's been given that he volunteers so he can give back. IMHO, the United States needs more people like him. I can think of SO MANY other people who should be deported (some of them are natural born citizens!)

Can any one (especially any immigration lawyers out there) offer any advice?

[weekapaugjz]

sorry to hear about the situation with you and your boyfriend, fuzzy. wish i could help out with advice, but unfortunately know nothing of the subject. it's such bullshit that hard working people get the shaft when there are so many people in our society looking for a handout or mooching the system.

best of luck figuring everything out.

[Tenbatsuzen]

I hear Ron and Fez specialize in quicky marriages. You have precedent.

[Tenbatsuzen]

OK, now to be serious:

Petrina, did you talk to the lawyer who did your divorce? He could help with getting your decree.

[Alice S. Fuzzybutt]

THANKS MATTY! YOU KNOW HOW TO MAKE A GIRL FEEL GOOD.

douche.

I will call my divorce lawyer manana. THANKS for the idea!

[DolaMight]

Bronx Johnny just can't catch a break.

[Ritalin]

Don't let Wrestling Fan read this.

I hope you get it all figured out.

I've never met an Ecuadoran who wasn't a nice person. It's uncanny.

[FUNKMAN]

have no idea what to suggest except search the internet for answers. best wishes on a happy resolution!

[Furtherman]

Best of luck Fuzzy... I hope it works out. If he needs a place to hide, we'll take turns hiding him in our attics.

[Tenbatsuzen]

Best of luck Fuzzy... I hope it works out. If he needs a place to hide, we'll take turns hiding him in our attics.

http://christiandivine.files.wordpress.com/2009/08/mv5bmti1mjiwmdeynv5bml5banbnxkftztcwodi0otk2mg-_v1-_sx600_sy400_.jpg

intrigued.

[Tall_James]

Knock knock.
Who's there?
Ecuador
Ecuador who?
Ecuador............um........er......

I got nothing.

Best of luck to you and your man Petrina. I'm sure everything will work out fine.

[Ritalin]

Knock knock.
Who's there?
Ecuador
Ecuador who?
Ecuador............um........er......

I got nothing.

Best of luck to you and your man Petrina. I'm sure everything will work out fine.

"Hey, you better QUITO knocking at my door."

[sailor]

Everyone's been nice, but please mind the forum.

[nate1000]

As self appointed Coolest Guy on .net, I hereby inform you of my intent to invoke my right of First Night.

[Alice S. Fuzzybutt]

Thanks guys! Wish us luck! We are going for the marriage license this coming Monday. If all works out, we'll be married on Friday!

I can only worry so much. We BOTH forgot that this is a reason for absolute celebration. So, instead of worrying all for naught in the wee hours, I've decided to plan a kick-ass party! It's so much easier worrying about invites and menus than worrying about what you can't control.

[PapaBear]

Just a hint to the other board members... I have it on good authority, that Petrina could use a more modern (and larger) slow cooker!!!:thumbup:

[JPMNICK]

petrina -

my boss tried to do this, but it still takes a couple of years to become official. you should really talk to an immigration lawyer to make sure this is going to work. i am not sure of all the details, but i do know that she is married to a legal citizen, and she is in danger of being let go at my company, and she would have to leave right away if that happened, even though she is married

[nickeye]

Thanks guys! Wish us luck! We are going for the marriage license this coming Monday. If all works out, we'll be married on Friday!

I can only worry so much. We BOTH forgot that this is a reason for absolute celebration. So, instead of worrying all for naught in the wee hours, I've decided to plan a kick-ass party! It's so much easier worrying about invites and menus than worrying about what you can't control.

Good luck and best wishes, Fuzzy.

It's actually pretty romantic, in a 90's-sitcom-plot kinda way.

[El Mudo]

Fuzzy, I work in a Federal Records Center, and the best place to get a document like that is through the Court (I deal with DC Courts all the time)

And voila:

New Jersey divorce decrees are available through the Superior Court of New Jersey Records Center.

For more information on obtaining a certified copy of a divorce decree, call the Records Center at:

609-777-0092

Link (http://www.state.nj.us/health/vital/divorce.shtml)

I don't know if NJ keeps theirs in a federal records centre, but they should be able to give you all the records info there as to where you can find it.

[RADIO-SHARK]

the...:devil2:

[PapaBear]

petrina -

my boss tried to do this, but it still takes a couple of years to become official. you should really talk to an immigration lawyer to make sure this is going to work. i am not sure of all the details, but i do know that she is married to a legal citizen, and she is in danger of being let go at my company, and she would have to leave right away if that happened, even though she is married
I hope this isn't the case here. If it is, I'm disgusted. Rich guys can basically purchase Russian brides like picking out a car, and people who actually love each other get shit on.

[Alice S. Fuzzybutt]

We got our rings today. We're heading for city hall tomorrow for the license. Tomorrow he's consulting a lawyer.

He's so calm about everything! "Don't worry. It will work out. We have our paper work in order..." I, on the other hand, am a wreck. I'll be able to breathe tomorrow after we get the license and set a wedding date. THEN I can worry about the next step...

Have I mentioned I'm a nervous wreck?

[disneyspy]

congrats mz fuzzybutt,sounds like someone's gonna get some wedding night sex soon,good for you,hope you get to enjoy the awesomeness of this time of your life and best wishes

[dino_electropolis]

congrats, and good luck!!:clap::drunk::clap:

[furie]

They're only giving him a MONTH to settle his life here.

I am assuming from the information you provided that he was here on a work visa ( probably H1b or possible J1 given that you said he was taking classes) So did his visa run out or did he act outside of the confines of the visa?
By that i mean, did he work when he was on a student visa, or did he take classes when he was on a work visa. Work visas are usually 3 years extendable to 6. and student visa's are good so long as the person is a full time student (except for J1 which i'm thinking it might be).

If it's just a matter of his visa running out, don't stress too much. they're not going to beak the door down in the middle of the night and drag him off. they gave him a deadline for what they hope will be a self deportation. still don't waste time adjusting his status to legal permanent resident though.

If however it's that he has acted outside of his status, then it doesn't really matter if you marry him or not, he'd be a deportable alien. And marring you doesn't wash that away. It would still be difficult to get his status changed to a legal permanent resident with CIS.

So you'll want to be sure why they;re sending the letter. Also, did the letter come from Immigration and Customs Enforcement or Citizenship and Immigration Services?

[disneyspy]

Knock knock.
Who's there?
Ecuador
Ecuador who?
Ecuador i didnt say orange?

helped

[Alice S. Fuzzybutt]

Furie,

I'm not sure why he has to go back. He went to the immigration office on Thursday morning to renew his status. Yes, he is a student, but by that I mean he's taking ESL classes at a local HS and is planning on getting an American GED (he finished HS in Ecuador). Would THAT be enough to send him back?

I don't know what type of residency status he has. He does have a work visa and like I said, he's just going to ESL classes at the moment. He has a temporary SS number.

Sorry I can't give you more info. This is all new to me. As far as we both know, he hasn't done anything different from the last time he dealt with immigration.

EDIT: We were planning to get married anyway. I'm hoping that his visa just ran out. I'll find out in the morning.

Thanks for your input!

[DonInNC]

I want to make some kind of "his Visa ran out, now he's on the American Express" joke, but I'm not clever enough. Instead, I'll wish you guys the best of luck. We need more people like him around.

[Death Metal Moe]

I hope everything works out for you and your boyfriend Petrina. I've talked to you for awhile, you've been through some rough patches. I hope you can find happiness and I hope all the legal shit doesn't prevent you from carrying out your plans.

It's hard to sometimes, but remain positive and hopeful until you're given a reason not to be. So far you should be in good shape.

[El Mudo]

I hope everything works out for you and your boyfriend Petrina. I've talked to you for awhile, you've been through some rough patches. I hope you can find happiness and I hope all the legal shit doesn't prevent you from carrying out your plans.

It's hard to sometimes, but remain positive and hopeful until you're given a reason not to be. So far you should be in good shape.


Yup. Best of luck to you both.

[furie]

Furie,

I'm not sure why he has to go back. He went to the immigration office on Thursday morning to renew his status. Yes, he is a student, but by that I mean he's taking ESL classes at a local HS and is planning on getting an American GED (he finished HS in Ecuador). Would THAT be enough to send him back?

I don't know what type of residency status he has. He does have a work visa and like I said, he's just going to ESL classes at the moment. He has a temporary SS number.

Sorry I can't give you more info. This is all new to me. As far as we both know, he hasn't done anything different from the last time he dealt with immigration.

EDIT: We were planning to get married anyway. I'm hoping that his visa just ran out. I'll find out in the morning.

Thanks for your input!


No, ESL wouldn't be enough to jeopardize his status. sounds like his visa's just expiring.

[Jujubees2]

Best of luck to you and your man Alice!