My fiance's in serious trouble and has to leave her country

[Boiler 45,360]

I knew a guy from Pakistan when I was studying in England. Turned away from Islam over there and became atheist. He attempted to get asylum after his course was done, returned home, was harassed/threatened for being an apostate... eventually fled to Tajikstan.

That seems quite a common trick. Seen it mentioned a lot.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Quick question for you gurus. On this expedite thing - http://www.uscis.gov/forms/expedite-criteria - I read somewhere a week or so ago that somebody said that's if the petitioner is having a hardship.

They list:

• Extreme emergent situation
• Humanitarian situation

I'm not sure I know what an "emergent" situation is! Did they mean to say "emergency"? But surely this would qualify for that or humanitarian situation. But somebody said these apply to the petitioner not the beneficiary. Did he just not know what he was talking about?

Emergent means new. So, if it is a new threat, a new situation, then expedite might work. If someone is complaining about general bad conditions or longterm unrest then it is not a means for expedite. I've seen someone try to get an expedite because the fiance was poor and couldn't eat lots of hamburgers. Despite the fact that she lived like this her whole life and survived. See the difference?

Your situation is emergent, I would certainly say. Best of luck.

[Jon York 156]

My comment was based on them moving.

I got you. Well, yes you're right - that's a problem. We don't have the money for them to leave right now. I'm just going to have to see if we can raise it through donations from friends who know the story and want to help.

[Jon York 156]

Emergent means new. So, if it is a new threat, a new situation, then expedite might work. If someone is complaining about general bad conditions or longterm unrest then it is not a means for expedite. I've seen someone try to get an expedite because the fiance was poor and couldn't eat lots of hamburgers. Despite the fact that she lived like this her whole life and survived. See the difference?

Your situation is emergent, I would certainly say. Best of luck.

Ah! Well that makes sense - emergent = new. A very vague word for them to use. Thanks for that Harpa.

Yes, this is very new and it is a direct threat to my fiance and her sister. We knew we couldn't ask for any special handling just because the conditions she normally lives in are horrendous. This does specifically threaten them. I've asked her to file a police report or a report with the court they've been dealing with, next week on the threats. That way we'll have some documentation of it.

Lack of hamburgers!!! I'm sure they got a good laugh out of that one!

Edited March 21, 2014 by Jon York

[Boiler 45,360]

So it is a financial issue.

And the Sister situation of course would need to be sorted no matter.

Edited March 21, 2014 by Boiler

[SparklePony 238]

Expedite requests can be granted when the new situation arises for the beneficiaries. A recent example is the vast amount of cases from the Philippines that were expedited because of the latest typhoon.

Edited March 21, 2014 by SparklePony

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

I got you. Well, yes you're right - that's a problem. We don't have the money for them to leave right now. I'm just going to have to see if we can raise it through donations from friends who know the story and want to help.

Jon, I know you are going through a lot and are probably scared. But, I will just ask, have you looked in to her just moving to another city? She and her family could change house, change area, blend into a big city for a while.

For your fiance, that should be enough time for her to get the visa, don't you think?

I suppose eventually they could be tracked down, but if they stay off the internet, it would be harder. Not sure if Pak has a phone book or if you can get an unlisted number and things like that.

For the sister, that will be another issue, as she isn't planning on moving to the US soon. Best of luck.

[Jon York 156]

Harpa - you know you have had a lot of really good ideas here and I really appreciate it! That is a good thought actually. I hate the idea of adding at least another year to our wait which would be the case if she moved. And she hates the idea too.

Her family owns a relatively nice house there that her father built (with his own hands). But they're very comfortable there. Moving would be really really hard for them. But if the danger looks like it's going to be sustained for a long period of time they might really have to consider that. Although this guy doesn't seem to be directing any anger to their parents... just to the two girls. So maybe they could move and their parents could stay. But thanks for this suggestion - it's definitely worth us giving some thought to.

It's all very fluid right now and we have to kind of play it by ear for a while until we get a clearer picture of the seriousness of the threat and whether or not it may dissipate over time. They're going to have another court hearing on Monday and depending on the outcome of that - things may change and they might feel safe after that. Or they may not. We really have to wait until then to try and get a sense from her about how serious and real the danger might continue to be.

I know they have some relatives in other places but it seems they're mostly in very remote backwards places. So I'm not sure how much of an option that might be.

On the other hand - I have two good friends who are from the country I'm thinking they could move to. And they're already checking with their friends and relatives back home to see if someone could help take them in when they first arrive and take care of them until they can get on their feet there. Although since that plan will add a year to our wait I think my fiance and I are only going to do it if she feels she will still be in danger after the court hearing on Monday. If the court rules in the other guy's favor - he may simmer down and not be so angry. But on the other hand he's kind of a hot head so he may be angry either way.

You're right about her sister - she's going to be a little harder problem because she won't be able to come to the US any time soon no matter what happens. But if they get to this country I have a feeling she might be able to find some work there that would provide her with enough to live on. Especially if my friends' friends can help her with that.

[Boiler 45,360]

Why will it add a year on?

[Jon York 156]

Why will it add a year on?

Because she'd have to wait a year to get legal residency before she could do the interview in the new country. I guess it would actually add more than a year.

Edited March 22, 2014 by Jon York

[Darnell 8,478]

student visa in Malaysia, instant residency status.

[Jon York 156]

Thanks for that info Darnell. That's very good to know!