Abuse of power in the American Consulate

[Lisamarie 79]

Well this is what I think......

I am 11 years older than my husband. I honestly think that he could care less about age. He wants someone he is compatible with in every sense, and that is me, and vice-versa. I don't think he is using me for a green card. I think he loves me deep in his heart, and no, my head isn't in the clouds. I know I'm a good person and I deserve his love "despite the 11 year age difference" and he deserves mine. We are perfect together. Does that mean everything will be perfect once he is here? No problems, adjustments, etc.? No it doesn't. I have been married before and I know what it takes to keep a marriage strong. My ex didn't. I walked away from my previous marriage for very good reasons. I know my now husband and I will "both" have adjustments to make. He will have cultural hurdles to overcome, leaving his family and friends, trying to find work, etc., and I will help him. We have already talked about that, as we talk about everything. There aren't surprises and won't be surprises between us. I will have adjustments also, I have been single and on my own for over five years now....which means I eat when I want, I eat what I want, I clean up only after myself, I do laundry only for myself, I come and go as I please with no one to account to, etc......it works both ways. But we are one and we will help each other with the adjustments and our love is strong enough to get us through any obstacles that may come our way. And the positives will outweigh the negatives by far. I'm also aware that being married to a MENA man will be entirely different than being married to an American man....and in my opinion "Thank God for that".........

Will he change his mind later and want someone younger? I really don't think so. I honestly can't picture it. But, no one knows what the future holds. I don't know what's going to happen tomorrow, let alone five or ten years from now. I don't live my life in worry and what if's. Life is too short for that. I'm not going to go through this process thinking negatively and putting all the bad scenarios in my mind. If I were going to do that, I shouldn't even be going through this process. I know it's not in his mind now, so I'm not going to worry about what "might" come into his mind later in life. I have better things to think about such as starting our lives together.

What bothers me, is that you ladies all (if I'm not mistaken) have your husbands here now, and you sit on this forum throwing out negative after negative, after negative, putting doubt in people's minds. Are you trying to help? In what way? To have all the women reading this thread doubting their husband/fiance? . I already see one woman doubting her fiance this morning just from reading your posts. I can see giving out advice about the process, and how to prepare, what to look for, etc........but constantly talking about the downfalls of marriages and how most of them don't work, and be prepared, and on and on and on.......I'm not sure how this is helping anyone. No one reading this is likely going to leave their relationships, all it's doing is putting doubt or worry in some people's minds.

I have a question......since you all are determined that almost all MENA marriages end in divorce, are you just sitting there biding your time? Or is yours "different"??

If I come back here in 2 years or 5 years with a different story, than you can all tell me "I told you so"........but chances are much greater that I'm going to be the one coming back here saying "I told you so".........

And as for the subject of this thread, I have no opinion about that, since neither me or my husband has been there or through it. Maybe since they have no way of knowing 100% that they are making the right decision (as we've seen by some that have been approved and were only using for a greencard) they should just do extremely extensive background checks, and if everything is good, let the couple be together. I don't think that spending 15 or 30 minutes with someone is a "tell all" whether that person is a scammer or not. Some men are easily intimidated, adding to the nervousness they already have when they get there, and that makes them look guilty. Others "are" guilty. Others are 100% true. There is no way for them to know for sure that they are making the right decision. They can only go with their gut feeling, and that's not always right. I'm sure they do the best they can, but they can't be absolutely sure they are right. Hey maybe they should just give them all a lie detector test. Pass = approved, fail = denied.......lol That would eliminate the fraud for sure.

[moroccogirlny 100]

What bothers me, is that you ladies all (if I'm not mistaken) have your husbands here now, and you sit on this forum throwing out negative after negative, after negative, putting doubt in people's minds. Are you trying to help? In what way? To have all the women reading this thread doubting their husband/fiance? . I already see one woman doubting her fiance this morning just from reading your posts. I can see giving out advice about the process, and how to prepare, what to look for, etc........but constantly talking about the downfalls of marriages and how most of them don't work, and be prepared, and on and on and on.......I'm not sure how this is helping anyone. No one reading this is likely going to leave their relationships, all it's doing is putting doubt or worry in some people's minds.

+1

[msheesha 548]

Just for clarification, of the 2 people who posted the info about their friends' experiences and the opinions of the Moroccan women that every Moroccan man is a scammer,

1 is married with her husband here &

the other's fiance is not here.

So, in this thread, at least, it's not as described by Lisamarie, as far as I can tell.

[Beauty for Ashes 257]

I really dont care what you think. We are friends with the Algerian husband and she devastated him. There is a lot more to the story and what I told just skimmed the surface. Just basic details. The moral of the story, which is more important than what you think, is that it is not always the Mena spouse that causes the problems.

Meriem.

That is exactly true. And not every marriage ends badly.

Percentagewise though,most turn out poorly for the American. I am so glad you were one of the success stories. Kudos to you.

Its hard when you fully financially support someone, pay all their bills , pay their immigration, they abuse you and hurt you..

You are lucky that didnt happen to you. I am 30000 in debt.

[Lisamarie 79]

That's because I'm probably combining threads, because it's the same group of people in different threads, talking about the same thing. So when I asked if you were helping with all the negativity, I meant with this thread and every other thread I have read involving the same people. I just didn't express it right.

Just for clarification, of the 2 people who posted the info about their friends' experiences and the opinions of the Moroccan women that every Moroccan man is a scammer,

1 is married with her husband here &

the other's fiance is not here.

So, in this thread, at least, it's not as described by Lisamarie, as far as I can tell.

[Lisamarie 79]

I can't imagine, really.....you have every right to be hurt and bitter. I feel for you and your situation and I hope at some point you will be able to find some peace with it and find some happiness in your life.

That is exactly true. And not every marriage ends badly.

Percentagewise though,most turn out poorly for the American. I am so glad you were one of the success stories. Kudos to you.

Its hard when you fully financially support someone, pay all their bills , pay their immigration, they abuse you and hurt you..

You are lucky that didnt happen to you. I am 30000 in debt.

[UmmSqueakster 54]

Everyone here is at different points in their visajourney. If you're new and perky and optimistic and happy, good for you. But those of us who are bitter, warn torn veterans have a right to be here and speak about our experiences, the good and the bad.

Should we just not speak about the negatives? Pretend that the scammers don't exist? Or just look the other way and be smiley happy?

Successful marriages do exist. I believe I live one. We've known each other for 9 and a half years, and have been married here in the US together for 5 and a half. On paper, we're a great match - we share the same values, are both bookworms, enjoy the same pastimes, like the same movies, are both cat crazy, are of the same faith, are both political junkies/revolutionaries, are very close in age, come from similar socio-economic backgrounds, have the same level of education, and have the same goals in life. If we were someone from each other's respective countries, we'd still have married each other.

But, every day is hard work. There was no "he got the visa and they lived happily ever after." AbuS came and has struggled mightily. It took him years to find meaningful work in his field. Then, the economy collapsed and he was laid off. And the struggle began again. The struggles in jobs and in adjustment have negatively effected our marriage. I do think that now, 5 years on, we're hitting our stride and actually talking about the whole ark of our future - having kids, buying a house, possibly moving overseas, pursuing advanced degrees. I feel like the last 5 years, we've been frantically treading water, trying not to drown, and only recently been able to actually start swimming in any meaningful direction.

So if I'm bitter and jaded, I think I've earned the right to say so. By all means, those who are at the beginning, continue. Just be forewarned that the process sucks, there are scammers out there, and you may end up bitter and jaded in 5 years time.

[Beauty for Ashes 257]

You know, I have been here a long time. This is not the first thread like this and it wont be the last. My husband and I have friends all over this country. Ohio, Colorado, South Florida, Alabama, Michigan, and even in the UK. The husbands are Algerian with American and UK wives. We have visited some of these friends in their homes. Most have wives that are older, anywhere from a few years older to a 20 yr difference. There marriages has lasted and seem very happy. Only two that did not work out that I know of is "Hanging in there" and if you remember "Iceyspots" from VJ several years ago. Icey's Algerian husband worked while she went to nursing school. After she graduated she left her Mena husband for one of her patients. He was devastated but now has remarried and is very happy. We have good friends that live here in our town. I have know them for years. He is Algerian and she is American. They met in the early 90's while he was here for pilot training at the air force base near here. He met his wife and married her before going back to Algeria after training. The Algerian gov't found out that he married an American and he was thrown in prison. He was made to finish his military tour as a pilot and after 3 yrs was released from duty and he came back to the USA. They are still married and have a 17 yr old son and a 10 month old baby girl.

You know if you say that all or most of your Mena male friends you know either used or abused American women, it goes to show the type of people you are hanging with. What goes on in your circle of friends, HIT, does not necessarily mean it goes on in the rest of the country.

Meriem

Another thing I would like to add is the percentage of people petitioned from Algeria is miniscule compared to places like Morocco. There are not going to be the levels of fraud there than an easy access country. It doesnt mean there is not fraud. It means its harder to go to Algeria, you have to have a long wait approved visa and much more dangerous in many ways to travel there. Morocco is going to be much more rampant

Secondly, I dont think its country specific in any way. When you couple desperation on the American side and vulnerability and then add in someone living in abject poverty, the fraud rates skyrocket.

You talk about a pilot. He was not brought here by someone. He came here to train courtesy of the government. She didnt have to fly back and forth several times to bring him here initially. There is a big difference betweeen meeting here and marrying versus bringing someone here

I also think that as you have grown children, you are not experiencing the stressors of having young kids and bringing someone here. That may really have added to your success. As a nurse you have been financially ok and then you didnt have a mess to drag him into. Just a thought

Thanks for your input

Oh and PS , I wasnt talking just about the people I know around here. Most of the posters we knew 4 years ago are not still with their sponsees. I see very few left that are still married who were posting regularly 4 years ago.. Just a thought

Edited March 1, 2011 by Hanging in there

[Beauty for Ashes 257]

Well this is what I think......

I am 11 years older than my husband. I honestly think that he could care less about age. He wants someone he is compatible with in every sense, and that is me, and vice-versa. I don't think he is using me for a green card. I think he loves me deep in his heart, and no, my head isn't in the clouds. I know I'm a good person and I deserve his love "despite the 11 year age difference" and he deserves mine. We are perfect together. Does that mean everything will be perfect once he is here? No problems, adjustments, etc.? No it doesn't. I have been married before and I know what it takes to keep a marriage strong. My ex didn't. I walked away from my previous marriage for very good reasons. I know my now husband and I will "both" have adjustments to make. He will have cultural hurdles to overcome, leaving his family and friends, trying to find work, etc., and I will help him. We have already talked about that, as we talk about everything. There aren't surprises and won't be surprises between us. I will have adjustments also, I have been single and on my own for over five years now....which means I eat when I want, I eat what I want, I clean up only after myself, I do laundry only for myself, I come and go as I please with no one to account to, etc......it works both ways. But we are one and we will help each other with the adjustments and our love is strong enough to get us through any obstacles that may come our way. And the positives will outweigh the negatives by far. I'm also aware that being married to a MENA man will be entirely different than being married to an American man....and in my opinion "Thank God for that".........

Will he change his mind later and want someone younger? I really don't think so. I honestly can't picture it. But, no one knows what the future holds. I don't know what's going to happen tomorrow, let alone five or ten years from now. I don't live my life in worry and what if's. Life is too short for that. I'm not going to go through this process thinking negatively and putting all the bad scenarios in my mind. If I were going to do that, I shouldn't even be going through this process. I know it's not in his mind now, so I'm not going to worry about what "might" come into his mind later in life. I have better things to think about such as starting our lives together.

What bothers me, is that you ladies all (if I'm not mistaken) have your husbands here now, and you sit on this forum throwing out negative after negative, after negative, putting doubt in people's minds. Are you trying to help? In what way? To have all the women reading this thread doubting their husband/fiance? . I already see one woman doubting her fiance this morning just from reading your posts. I can see giving out advice about the process, and how to prepare, what to look for, etc........but constantly talking about the downfalls of marriages and how most of them don't work, and be prepared, and on and on and on.......I'm not sure how this is helping anyone. No one reading this is likely going to leave their relationships, all it's doing is putting doubt or worry in some people's minds.

I have a question......since you all are determined that almost all MENA marriages end in divorce, are you just sitting there biding your time? Or is yours "different"??

If I come back here in 2 years or 5 years with a different story, than you can all tell me "I told you so"........but chances are much greater that I'm going to be the one coming back here saying "I told you so".........

And as for the subject of this thread, I have no opinion about that, since neither me or my husband has been there or through it. Maybe since they have no way of knowing 100% that they are making the right decision (as we've seen by some that have been approved and were only using for a greencard) they should just do extremely extensive background checks, and if everything is good, let the couple be together. I don't think that spending 15 or 30 minutes with someone is a "tell all" whether that person is a scammer or not. Some men are easily intimidated, adding to the nervousness they already have when they get there, and that makes them look guilty. Others "are" guilty. Others are 100% true. There is no way for them to know for sure that they are making the right decision. They can only go with their gut feeling, and that's not always right. I'm sure they do the best they can, but they can't be absolutely sure they are right. Hey maybe they should just give them all a lie detector test. Pass = approved, fail = denied.......lol That would eliminate the fraud for sure.

I think coming back in 5 years will be the only indicator...Lord knows there is no other litmus test

[Beauty for Ashes 257]

I can't imagine, really.....you have every right to be hurt and bitter. I feel for you and your situation and I hope at some point you will be able to find some peace with it and find some happiness in your life.

I dont feel bitter. I am joyously in love with my children, I love my mom and dad and yes I still love travelling. I still like people from overseas. I just wish I didnt make the move I made in 2006. It was a mistake in every aspect. i was debt free in dec 2006. I am digging myself out of some bad choices including bringing him here...

Everyone here is at different points in their visajourney. If you're new and perky and optimistic and happy, good for you. But those of us who are bitter, warn torn veterans have a right to be here and speak about our experiences, the good and the bad.

Should we just not speak about the negatives? Pretend that the scammers don't exist? Or just look the other way and be smiley happy?

Successful marriages do exist. I believe I live one. We've known each other for 9 and a half years, and have been married here in the US together for 5 and a half. On paper, we're a great match - we share the same values, are both bookworms, enjoy the same pastimes, like the same movies, are both cat crazy, are of the same faith, are both political junkies/revolutionaries, are very close in age, come from similar socio-economic backgrounds, have the same level of education, and have the same goals in life. If we were someone from each other's respective countries, we'd still have married each other.

But, every day is hard work. There was no "he got the visa and they lived happily ever after." AbuS came and has struggled mightily. It took him years to find meaningful work in his field. Then, the economy collapsed and he was laid off. And the struggle began again. The struggles in jobs and in adjustment have negatively effected our marriage. I do think that now, 5 years on, we're hitting our stride and actually talking about the whole ark of our future - having kids, buying a house, possibly moving overseas, pursuing advanced degrees. I feel like the last 5 years, we've been frantically treading water, trying not to drown, and only recently been able to actually start swimming in any meaningful direction.

So if I'm bitter and jaded, I think I've earned the right to say so. By all means, those who are at the beginning, continue. Just be forewarned that the process sucks, there are scammers out there, and you may end up bitter and jaded in 5 years time.

great post

[kristen_maroc 126]

What bothers me, is that you ladies all (if I'm not mistaken) have your husbands here now, and you sit on this forum throwing out negative after negative, after negative, putting doubt in people's minds. Are you trying to help? In what way? To have all the women reading this thread doubting their husband/fiance? . I already see one woman doubting her fiance this morning just from reading your posts. I can see giving out advice about the process, and how to prepare, what to look for, etc........but constantly talking about the downfalls of marriages and how most of them don't work, and be prepared, and on and on and on.......I'm not sure how this is helping anyone. No one reading this is likely going to leave their relationships, all it's doing is putting doubt or worry in some people's minds.

I have a question......since you all are determined that almost all MENA marriages end in divorce, are you just sitting there biding your time? Or is yours "different"??

Thank you. I mean, don't most people think that they are "different" because if not, they wouldn't spend the time, energy, money, heartache, etc. of going through the process?

And it's not making me seriously doubt anything-- not really. My fiance is fantastic, and we are great for each other. It's hard, it's work, but every relationship is. It is just that the whole situation is frustrating: that people do this to other people to get to the US, that it gives a bad name to MENA men, that people stereotype and judge what is already a tough situation for most people, and that it's just another barrier to deal with on this long, hard, but ultimately wonderful journey that so many of us are on.

[Beauty for Ashes 257]

You know, I have been here a long time. This is not the first thread like this and it wont be the last. My husband and I have friends all over this country. Ohio, Colorado, South Florida, Alabama, Michigan, and even in the UK. The husbands are Algerian with American and UK wives. We have visited some of these friends in their homes. Most have wives that are older, anywhere from a few years older to a 20 yr difference. There marriages has lasted and seem very happy. Only two that did not work out that I know of is "Hanging in there" and if you remember "Iceyspots" from VJ several years ago. Icey's Algerian husband worked while she went to nursing school. After she graduated she left her Mena husband for one of her patients. He was devastated but now has remarried and is very happy. We have good friends that live here in our town. I have know them for years. He is Algerian and she is American. They met in the early 90's while he was here for pilot training at the air force base near here. He met his wife and married her before going back to Algeria after training. The Algerian gov't found out that he married an American and he was thrown in prison. He was made to finish his military tour as a pilot and after 3 yrs was released from duty and he came back to the USA. They are still married and have a 17 yr old son and a 10 month old baby girl.

You know if you say that all or most of your Mena male friends you know either used or abused American women, it goes to show the type of people you are hanging with. What goes on in your circle of friends, HIT, does not necessarily mean it goes on in the rest of the country.

Meriem

Ps Its embarassing to fail. If someone didnt have good intentions for you, they wont mourn the child you lost together, they will chat online with women from back home, they will tell everyone in arabic you arent their real wife and when you look for consolation, you will find people looking for what you did wrong to make him do that. I didnt make him hurt me, Meriem. I paid every single bill we had and supported us. When it came time to do papers, I paid for that too. I paid for everything , even my sons funeral. How was any of this my fault? Did I deserve this? The pain? The financial abuse? Why do I feel like you are blaming me? What could I have done better Meriem? I have all the debt, the bad memories..How did I deserve this? You make me feel like this was all my fault from your posts.Like no other women go through this.. and they do Meriem , they do

[Lisamarie 79]

Exactly.........

I'm glad, because although there are scammers out there, there are also "good men", and I'm sure you feel that yours is, otherwise you wouldn't be going through this long, frustrating, difficult, process to be with him;)

And I did write "forum" not "thread".

Thank you. I mean, don't most people think that they are "different" because if not, they wouldn't spend the time, energy, money, heartache, etc. of going through the process?

And it's not making me seriously doubt anything-- not really. My fiance is fantastic, and we are great for each other. It's hard, it's work, but every relationship is. It is just that the whole situation is frustrating: that people do this to other people to get to the US, that it gives a bad name to MENA men, that people stereotype and judge what is already a tough situation for most people, and that it's just another barrier to deal with on this long, hard, but ultimately wonderful journey that so many of us are on.

[msheesha 548]

Well this is what I think......

I am 11 years older than my husband. I honestly think that he could care less about age. He wants someone he is compatible with in every sense, and that is me, and vice-versa. I don't think he is using me for a green card. I think he loves me deep in his heart, and no, my head isn't in the clouds. I know I'm a good person and I deserve his love "despite the 11 year age difference" and he deserves mine. We are perfect together. Does that mean everything will be perfect once he is here? No problems, adjustments, etc.? No it doesn't. I have been married before and I know what it takes to keep a marriage strong. My ex didn't. I walked away from my previous marriage for very good reasons. I know my now husband and I will "both" have adjustments to make. He will have cultural hurdles to overcome, leaving his family and friends, trying to find work, etc., and I will help him. We have already talked about that, as we talk about everything. There aren't surprises and won't be surprises between us. I will have adjustments also, I have been single and on my own for over five years now....which means I eat when I want, I eat what I want, I clean up only after myself, I do laundry only for myself, I come and go as I please with no one to account to, etc......it works both ways. But we are one and we will help each other with the adjustments and our love is strong enough to get us through any obstacles that may come our way. And the positives will outweigh the negatives by far. I'm also aware that being married to a MENA man will be entirely different than being married to an American man....and in my opinion "Thank God for that".........

Will he change his mind later and want someone younger? I really don't think so. I honestly can't picture it. But, no one knows what the future holds. I don't know what's going to happen tomorrow, let alone five or ten years from now. I don't live my life in worry and what if's. Life is too short for that. I'm not going to go through this process thinking negatively and putting all the bad scenarios in my mind. If I were going to do that, I shouldn't even be going through this process. I know it's not in his mind now, so I'm not going to worry about what "might" come into his mind later in life. I have better things to think about such as starting our lives together.

What bothers me, is that you ladies all (if I'm not mistaken) have your husbands here now, and you sit on this forum throwing out negative after negative, after negative, putting doubt in people's minds. Are you trying to help? In what way? To have all the women reading this thread doubting their husband/fiance? . I already see one woman doubting her fiance this morning just from reading your posts. I can see giving out advice about the process, and how to prepare, what to look for, etc........but constantly talking about the downfalls of marriages and how most of them don't work, and be prepared, and on and on and on.......I'm not sure how this is helping anyone. No one reading this is likely going to leave their relationships, all it's doing is putting doubt or worry in some people's minds.

I have a question......since you all are determined that almost all MENA marriages end in divorce, are you just sitting there biding your time? Or is yours "different"??

If I come back here in 2 years or 5 years with a different story, than you can all tell me "I told you so"........but chances are much greater that I'm going to be the one coming back here saying "I told you so".........

And as for the subject of this thread, I have no opinion about that, since neither me or my husband has been there or through it. Maybe since they have no way of knowing 100% that they are making the right decision (as we've seen by some that have been approved and were only using for a greencard) they should just do extremely extensive background checks, and if everything is good, let the couple be together. I don't think that spending 15 or 30 minutes with someone is a "tell all" whether that person is a scammer or not. Some men are easily intimidated, adding to the nervousness they already have when they get there, and that makes them look guilty. Others "are" guilty. Others are 100% true. There is no way for them to know for sure that they are making the right decision. They can only go with their gut feeling, and that's not always right. I'm sure they do the best they can, but they can't be absolutely sure they are right. Hey maybe they should just give them all a lie detector test. Pass = approved, fail = denied.......lol That would eliminate the fraud for sure.

With all due respect, and I'm not picking on you specifically, I think that some of the things I've bolded in your post, are some of the things that bring out the negativity sometimes.

And, again, I don't mean to direct this directly at your statements because I've seen a bazillion statements like this here in MENA. They have affectionately been labelled "rainbows and unicorns" by women who are been on here forever.

I don't recall how long exactly you've actually spent physically in the same country as your husband, so again, I'm not directed this at you. But, comments like these are frequently tossed around by people whose spouses have not yet gotten here, and for those living with their husbands, the comments really do bring about a lot a roll of the eyes. Simply because many people who make these statements have spent a pathetically little amount of time with their fiance/spouse, etc. And, the time they have spent has not been "real life" time.

So, I know that when the lollipops and rainbows and "perfect for each other" and "we are one" and "we are soulmates" and "the consulate is torturing us because the CO wants someone as hot and wonderful and perfect as my man" and "he's my life and my everything" and blah, blah, blah, blah blah comments are made when the couple has physically spent one or two weeks together ON VACATION, then it brings out people who have lived more of the experience - to warn - to express - to verbalize - that it's not all lollipops, rainbows and unicorns.

And, then on the other hand, it's not all scammers either. It's somewhere in the middle. It just seems like the two "groups" on here, if you will, bring out the extremes in each other. When the lollipop gang is chirping about rainbows and perfection, the others want to bring out the reality, and when the reality is being talked about the others want to talk about "perfection" and "soulmates" and "he's my everything", and "we're perfect together".

There's not a lot of balance on MENA lately and the worst is usually brought out in the two extremes.

Just an observation, for what it's worth. And, again, I used some of your words, but not directly at you, because as I said, it's common phrasing here, and I just was using them as examples.

[momof1 205]

I'd love to come back in 5 years bitter, jaded, and happily married. WIth all my heart, I firmly believe that if my marriage ends it will be because things didn't work out not because he was using me. About 5 years ago our marriage hit a breaking point. He hadn't seen his family in almost 12 years. He was literally ready to give up our entire life, our marriage, and our family to go back and see them. He knew he couldn't leave the US but he prayed and prayed for a way to see them again. His prayers were answered in the form of a one way ticket to Algeria courtesy of the US govt. His happiness nearly destroyed me and our oldest son but it saved our marriage. It made us love and appreciate eachother again. It renewed our commitment to one another and forced us to focus on communication. We never had major issues....just normal stuff that all couples deal with. I can honestly say that our marriage today, nearly 9 years in, is the best it's ever been. That has come with a LOT of work from both of us and I hope it will continue.

All of the Moroccan/American couples I know met in the US. The immigrants were either students or winners of the visa lottery. If you look at the Algerian/American couples though, most of them are asylees. They've been married long-term and have big families. One has 6 children together. The ones who are married to Algerians waited to become citizens after asylum or visa-lottery to sponsor someone from home. I spend time in Orlando a couple times a year and I stil can't believe how many Moroccans I see all over Disney. Not just in Epcot but all over. The one horror story I can think of comes from a Minnesotan moving to Orlando and marrying, ironically, a Moroccan.