Ethnic/Religious Fears...

[Amina_KSA 0]

This may sound stupid to some, but hopefully others will understand our concern.

I am an American (born and raised) and my husband is Egyptian...we currently live in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia where my husband works. My husband is an Arab Muslim, I am also a Muslim (wear headscarf)...

With all of the current problems in the world I have a huge fear that my husband's visa will be denied simply because of his ethnicity and our religion. I know legally they "can't" do that, yet I also know there are many ways that they can find problems and reasons to deny anyones application if they wish to. We are really at their mercy.

Recently when my husband went to renew his visitors visa for our summer vacation the interviewer at the American Embassy asked him many questions that I consider offensive. After seeing that I was wearing a headscarf in my passport picture he asked if my husband had "forced" me to be a Muslim and was extremely happy to learn that I had been a Muslim long before I met my husband...he also asked if we met online and made some kind of remark about people meeting online as an "easy ticket to America"...

Although they renewed his visitors visa that experience has left us worried about how we will be viewed while applying for immigration.

It's really a horrible feeling to always have to be on the defensive...constantly being stopped in the airport is one thing, but having our entire future ruined because group guilt is being assigned to innocent people is really an intolerable thought. It always seems that officials are waiting for us to say "no, don't worry...we're not terrorists"...My husband is a gentle, brilliant, amazing human being who would be an asset to any society and it really hurts me to see him treated like a criminal simply because of his race and our religion...*sigh*

Does anyone have any thoughts or advice on this matter?

Thanks again,

Emily

[Amina_KSA 0]

Sorry, I just realized that I should be posting in the DCF section...I would delete this thread but I don't see options for editing threads...

Answers and opinions are still welcome if anyone is willing to share!

[Alex+R 0]

Visit the ME/NA forum (in Regional Forums) where many people have experience with these issues.

Wow, I don't know how people like you (whose husbands have tourist visas) find the strength to file for fiance visas and not commit visa fraud by marrying on the tourist visa, knowing that it can sometimes be difficult to get visas in a timely fashion from the MENA area. Congrats on being a better person than I probably would be in your situation...

[simple_male 1]

Amina,

I do understand what you mean. But they can not deny your husband's visa. While they may put him on administrative processing, eventually he will be issued the visa. Do not worry.

This may sound stupid to some, but hopefully others will understand our concern.

I am an American (born and raised) and my husband is Egyptian...we currently live in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia where my husband works. My husband is an Arab Muslim, I am also a Muslim (wear headscarf)...

With all of the current problems in the world I have a huge fear that my husband's visa will be denied simply because of his ethnicity and our religion. I know legally they "can't" do that, yet I also know there are many ways that they can find problems and reasons to deny anyones application if they wish to. We are really at their mercy.

Recently when my husband went to renew his visitors visa for our summer vacation the interviewer at the American Embassy asked him many questions that I consider offensive. After seeing that I was wearing a headscarf in my passport picture he asked if my husband had "forced" me to be a Muslim and was extremely happy to learn that I had been a Muslim long before I met my husband...he also asked if we met online and made some kind of remark about people meeting online as an "easy ticket to America"...

Although they renewed his visitors visa that experience has left us worried about how we will be viewed while applying for immigration.

It's really a horrible feeling to always have to be on the defensive...constantly being stopped in the airport is one thing, but having our entire future ruined because group guilt is being assigned to innocent people is really an intolerable thought. It always seems that officials are waiting for us to say "no, don't worry...we're not terrorists"...My husband is a gentle, brilliant, amazing human being who would be an asset to any society and it really hurts me to see him treated like a criminal simply because of his race and our religion...*sigh*

Does anyone have any thoughts or advice on this matter?

Thanks again,

Emily

[doodlebug 3]

Definitely come visit us in the ME/NA forum. Many Egyptians have received their visas, though most have to wait a good four months or more after the interview process for security checks and administrative processing.

[Amina_KSA 0]

Visit the ME/NA forum (in Regional Forums) where many people have experience with these issues.

Wow, I don't know how people like you (whose husbands have tourist visas) find the strength to file for fiance visas and not commit visa fraud by marrying on the tourist visa, knowing that it can sometimes be difficult to get visas in a timely fashion from the MENA area. Congrats on being a better person than I probably would be in your situation...

Huh? Visa fraud??? Don't scare me please..

I am married, legally...we got married in Cairo and I have been living with my husband in Saudi Arabia (where he works) ever since. He's had his tourist visa since before we met and he renewed it so that he could come home with me this summer to visit my family...

No visa fraud going on here...we also never had anything to do with a fiance visa, we didn't even think of applying until after we got married.

[pushbrk 12,824]

Visit the ME/NA forum (in Regional Forums) where many people have experience with these issues.

Wow, I don't know how people like you (whose husbands have tourist visas) find the strength to file for fiance visas and not commit visa fraud by marrying on the tourist visa, knowing that it can sometimes be difficult to get visas in a timely fashion from the MENA area. Congrats on being a better person than I probably would be in your situation...

Huh? Visa fraud??? Don't scare me please..

I am married, legally...we got married in Cairo and I have been living with my husband in Saudi Arabia (where he works) ever since. He's had his tourist visa since before we met and he renewed it so that he could come home with me this summer to visit my family...

No visa fraud going on here...we also never had anything to do with a fiance visa, we didn't even think of applying until after we got married.

You were being complimented on doing it legally.

[Liquesce 0]

I just wanted to wish you the best of luck. And to say that you really shouldn't worry about the religious issue. Actually, in terms of the I-130 petition, it was pretty clear that the fact that my husband and I are both muslim and that it was not a situation in which I said I converted because of him helped, not hindered, our approval, just in terms of the appearance of legitimacy to our marriage. And beyond that point, they're really much more interested just in the financials. The security check process takes time, but it's more a flawed process of weeding out names than a malicious process of weeding out muslims. If your marriage appears legitimate in their eyes, if they think he's not at risk for becoming a financial burden on the U.S. government, and if his personal information (rather than just demographic information) clears their system, he'll be approved. Which is not to say that they'll never ask anything that will make your skin bristle, but just try to understand how often they are in fact faced with attempts at visa fraud. It will be nothing personal against you and your husband.

[Captain Oates 911]

Ethnic sorting is alive and well !

Do you know that Americans who looked (etc) Japanese were put into concentration camps in the USA during the second world war ? You should.

I live in Blackburn Lancashire England where 25% of the population is Moslem. This week the US floated the idea of requiring British Citizens (including British Born) with Pakistani backgrounds, to apply for a visa to visit the USA whilst all the rest of the Brits can come in on visa waiver.

There are practical problems because most people's parents were born in India because Pakistan did not exist...

My point is that if splitting the flock into sheep and goats is proposed this week, you can tell that what happened in the past is alive and well.

Of course anyone with an obviously Moslem background will have deep security checks - but no I don't think there is any intent to refuse people's rights to immigrate...

but be aware - we Brits are not all the same any more... some will stand to the left and some to the right

I am a white atheist by the way - but if were a Moslem I would be highly offended by this suggestion as a Brit is a Brit- what the US is after can, (and I am sure is) done by security checks anyway without this proposal which is demeaning to a Briton born in Britain.

They sure pulled Cat Stevens out of the line visa waiver or no

alan

[Amina_KSA 0]

Visit the ME/NA forum (in Regional Forums) where many people have experience with these issues.

Wow, I don't know how people like you (whose husbands have tourist visas) find the strength to file for fiance visas and not commit visa fraud by marrying on the tourist visa, knowing that it can sometimes be difficult to get visas in a timely fashion from the MENA area. Congrats on being a better person than I probably would be in your situation...

Huh? Visa fraud??? Don't scare me please..

I am married, legally...we got married in Cairo and I have been living with my husband in Saudi Arabia (where he works) ever since. He's had his tourist visa since before we met and he renewed it so that he could come home with me this summer to visit my family...

No visa fraud going on here...we also never had anything to do with a fiance visa, we didn't even think of applying until after we got married.

You were being complimented on doing it legally.

Sorry...I'm a bit on edge lately, the hormones of pregnancy aren't helping matters!!!

I apologize for reading the initial post incorrectly!

[Amina_KSA 0]

I just wanted to wish you the best of luck. And to say that you really shouldn't worry about the religious issue. Actually, in terms of the I-130 petition, it was pretty clear that the fact that my husband and I are both muslim and that it was not a situation in which I said I converted because of him helped, not hindered, our approval, just in terms of the appearance of legitimacy to our marriage. And beyond that point, they're really much more interested just in the financials. The security check process takes time, but it's more a flawed process of weeding out names than a malicious process of weeding out muslims. If your marriage appears legitimate in their eyes, if they think he's not at risk for becoming a financial burden on the U.S. government, and if his personal information (rather than just demographic information) clears their system, he'll be approved. Which is not to say that they'll never ask anything that will make your skin bristle, but just try to understand how often they are in fact faced with attempts at visa fraud. It will be nothing personal against you and your husband.

Salaam,

Thank you so much! Insha`Allah it will go well...I know some may think it's stupid to worry about these kinds of things, but when you've experienced discrimination based on religion you become a bit worried about more than those who haven't.

I'm so glad your experience was successful!

[Amina_KSA 0]

Ethnic sorting is alive and well !

Do you know that Americans who looked (etc) Japanese were put into concentration camps in the USA during the second world war ? You should.

I live in Blackburn Lancashire England where 25% of the population is Moslem. This week the US floated the idea of requiring British Citizens (including British Born) with Pakistani backgrounds, to apply for a visa to visit the USA whilst all the rest of the Brits can come in on visa waiver.

There are practical problems because most people's parents were born in India because Pakistan did not exist...

My point is that if splitting the flock into sheep and goats is proposed this week, you can tell that what happened in the past is alive and well.

Of course anyone with an obviously Moslem background will have deep security checks - but no I don't think there is any intent to refuse people's rights to immigrate...

but be aware - we Brits are not all the same any more... some will stand to the left and some to the right

I am a white atheist by the way - but if were a Moslem I would be highly offended by this suggestion as a Brit is a Brit- what the US is after can, (and I am sure is) done by security checks anyway without this proposal which is demeaning to a Briton born in Britain.

They sure pulled Cat Stevens out of the line visa waiver or no

alan

I'm glad you understand what I'm trying to say...

Each time I'm the ONLY American on a flight and yet I'm also the ONLY person from the flight detained for "homeland security" questioning while entering my own country I'm reminded about how much of a "big deal" my religion is to some people...

[Captain Oates 911]

I'm glad you understand what I'm trying to say...

Each time I'm the ONLY American on a flight and yet I'm also the ONLY person from the flight detained for "homeland security" questioning while entering my own country I'm reminded about how much of a "big deal" my religion is to some people...

yes I wasn't trying to be alarmist as I don't think the US is underhand - just the opposite - I think they do things a bit roughly and too out in the open sometimes when they can be just as effective at protecting the country by being a bit more diplomatic. I am sure they can scrutinise everyone on visa waiver - I am sure they do - and as a regular traveller I sure want them to - but this stark policy proposal is just going to get people's backs up and fuel some excitable youngster when it could have been done better.

getting back to the main point of the post - there are some real rednecks around in some of the states but the Government seem very fair to me - they do what they have to with security but I reckon that non-trouble makers will NOT have a problem being treated equally.

When I lived in Wisconsin I was shocked at how many educated and fair thinking and gentle and intelligent people were around - I was expecting the stereotype redneck - but it's a big country ! yes that made me want to go back....

as far as being pulled out of line - yes i bet that hurts - but they are being a bit simplistic - if you were a suspicious person they shouldnt do that - but they should follow you night and day - so at least while they are being obvious about it, it's likely nothing too duplicitous is going on - when they wave you through you can start to worry ! seriously though , you have my sympathy with the present situation and lets hope someone makes some big moves to get peace soon so we can all get back to where it used to be ...alan

[waiting4ever 0]

Ethnic sorting is alive and well !

Do you know that Americans who looked (etc) Japanese were put into concentration camps in the USA during the second world war ? You should.

I live in Blackburn Lancashire England where 25% of the population is Moslem. This week the US floated the idea of requiring British Citizens (including British Born) with Pakistani backgrounds, to apply for a visa to visit the USA whilst all the rest of the Brits can come in on visa waiver.

There are practical problems because most people's parents were born in India because Pakistan did not exist...

My point is that if splitting the flock into sheep and goats is proposed this week, you can tell that what happened in the past is alive and well.

Of course anyone with an obviously Moslem background will have deep security checks - but no I don't think there is any intent to refuse people's rights to immigrate...

but be aware - we Brits are not all the same any more... some will stand to the left and some to the right

I am a white atheist by the way - but if were a Moslem I would be highly offended by this suggestion as a Brit is a Brit- what the US is after can, (and I am sure is) done by security checks anyway without this proposal which is demeaning to a Briton born in Britain.

They sure pulled Cat Stevens out of the line visa waiver or no

alan

I'm glad you understand what I'm trying to say...

Each time I'm the ONLY American on a flight and yet I'm also the ONLY person from the flight detained for "homeland security" questioning while entering my own country I'm reminded about how much of a "big deal" my religion is to some people...

This is not just limited to Muslims or Middle Eastern people. I am from India and not a Muslim and yet I experience profiling more than even most Middle Eastern people. In fact people from India, especially Sikhs, experience far more racial profiling than Middle Easterners even though they are neither Muslim nor Arab. This is because they wear turbans and have brown skin.

[Amina_KSA 0]

Ethnic sorting is alive and well !

Do you know that Americans who looked (etc) Japanese were put into concentration camps in the USA during the second world war ? You should.

I live in Blackburn Lancashire England where 25% of the population is Moslem. This week the US floated the idea of requiring British Citizens (including British Born) with Pakistani backgrounds, to apply for a visa to visit the USA whilst all the rest of the Brits can come in on visa waiver.

There are practical problems because most people's parents were born in India because Pakistan did not exist...

My point is that if splitting the flock into sheep and goats is proposed this week, you can tell that what happened in the past is alive and well.

Of course anyone with an obviously Moslem background will have deep security checks - but no I don't think there is any intent to refuse people's rights to immigrate...

but be aware - we Brits are not all the same any more... some will stand to the left and some to the right

I am a white atheist by the way - but if were a Moslem I would be highly offended by this suggestion as a Brit is a Brit- what the US is after can, (and I am sure is) done by security checks anyway without this proposal which is demeaning to a Briton born in Britain.

They sure pulled Cat Stevens out of the line visa waiver or no

alan

I'm glad you understand what I'm trying to say...

Each time I'm the ONLY American on a flight and yet I'm also the ONLY person from the flight detained for "homeland security" questioning while entering my own country I'm reminded about how much of a "big deal" my religion is to some people...

This is not just limited to Muslims or Middle Eastern people. I am from India and not a Muslim and yet I experience profiling more than even most Middle Eastern people. In fact people from India, especially Sikhs, experience far more racial profiling than Middle Easterners even though they are neither Muslim nor Arab. This is because they wear turbans and have brown skin.

I hear that, and sadly it's because most idiots can't tell the difference between a sikh and a Muslim. I've heard several people say "well how can we tell, Osama Bin Laden wears a turban"...*ROLLS EYES*