URGENT: UK to US Immigration

[nicolev 3]

this says 18 but others say 16...

http://www.lawandpar...ld-son-out.html

this isnt about the law but it does tell you what she would be entitled to...

http://england.shelt...nd_17_year_olds

Thank you! I've checked out the second link and I'm going to do my best to convince her to go along with contact social services. Despite how horrible her mother is being, she doesn't want to get her mother in trouble, which is the main issue :'(

[nicolev 3]

just a Little info that may help. I would not apply for a visa, if you do and get denied. she will No longer be eligibly For the VWP.

also if she comes over on the VWP. don't let her over stay a short term fix would cause bigger issues down the road

Yeah, I remember finding out about the Visa denial thing affecting the VWP that's why we were really discouraged from applying to anything at all .. I'm so worried and scared and confused!

What should I do? Should I have her apply for VWP at all or try to convince her to contact social services? She really just wants to be with me, and like I said, she doesn't want to get her mom in trouble ... how could I convince her of this?

[Dan & Jenni 457]

Thank you! I've checked out the second link and I'm going to do my best to convince her to go along with contact social services. Despite how horrible her mother is being, she doesn't want to get her mother in trouble, which is the main issue :'(

if the issue with her mom is something that has just happened over night ... like her daughter has just done something to piss her off, then maybe she will calm down and things will be ok again. if it is a long standing issue and definitely cant be sorted out and she doesnt want to get her mom in trouble then she can pretty much tell social services that she left home because things got too bad to stay. they might try and arrange mediation but they cant force it.

good luck with whatever happens ok

Edited January 15, 2012 by Dan & Jenni

[Dan & Jenni 457]

Yeah, I remember finding out about the Visa denial thing affecting the VWP that's why we were really discouraged from applying to anything at all .. I'm so worried and scared and confused!

What should I do? Should I have her apply for VWP at all or try to convince her to contact social services? She really just wants to be with me, and like I said, she doesn't want to get her mom in trouble ... how could I convince her of this?

the problem with the VWP is that it is a maximum of 90 days at a time so she would need to have somewhere to come back to after that time is up. im not sure how long between visits she would need to leave though.

[nicolev 3]

if the issue with her mom is something that has just happened over night ... like her daughter has just done something to piss her off, then maybe she will calm down and things will be ok again. if it is a long standing issue and definitely cant be sorted out and she doesnt want to get her mom in trouble then she can pretty much tell social services that she left home because things got too bad to stay. they might try and arrange mediation but they cant force it.

good luck with whatever happens ok

It's been on-going for quite some time now. Her mother is just generally horrible towards her and the situation is not safe for her at all. I'm going to try my best to have her contact social services regardless, because her safety is definitely far more important than anything else!

Thank you

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

You should be aware that the United Kingdom does issue residency to unmarried partners in permanent relationships.

The UK citizen must be 18 to petition for their partner.

You are both very young. Be smart as well as sincere.

[nicolev 3]

You should be aware that the United Kingdom does issue residency to unmarried partners in permanent relationships.

The UK citizen must be 18 to petition for their partner.

You are both very young. Be smart as well as sincere.

yes, I once looked into civil partnerships, which apparently work similarly to marriage for same-sex couples when it comes to citizenship! :')

of course, my primary concern is just to have her safe. that's all that matters to me. I love her, and she means the world to me, but she's not just my girlfriend .. she's my very best friend. Even if we weren't together in the way that we are, I would still be doing everything possible to keep her safe, because I care so very much about her! No matter what, whether we're together or not, her well-being is very important to me. All I want is for her to be safe .. praying like crazy that something can be sorted. I've spent the whole day in a panic trying to sort all of this :'(

You should be aware that the United Kingdom does issue residency to unmarried partners in permanent relationships.

The UK citizen must be 18 to petition for their partner.

You are both very young. Be smart as well as sincere.

yes, I once looked into civil partnerships, which apparently work similarly to marriage for same-sex couples when it comes to citizenship! :')

of course, my primary concern is just to have her safe. that's all that matters to me. I love her, and she means the world to me, but she's not just my girlfriend .. she's my very best friend. Even if we weren't together in the way that we are, I would still be doing everything possible to keep her safe, because I care so very much about her! No matter what, whether we're together or not, her well-being is very important to me. All I want is for her to be safe .. praying like crazy that something can be sorted. I've spent the whole day in a panic trying to sort all of this :'(

[mr and mrs 187]

if the problems at home have anything to do with gay/lesbian issues (ie mom's not okay with it), there are GLBT groups that will be able to offer assistance. nottingham is a big enough city that there will be a good support network.

one thing to note about canada is that same-sex marriage is LEGAL (yay!) so keep that in mind.

but before doing anything drastic, try to find a solution that allows you both time. she really needs a place she feels safe where she doesnt feel threatened. whatever precipitated her getting kicked out by her mum needs to be examined. if shes 16 and having growing pains, moving country may not be a solution. if she has other issues (drugs alcohol) those need to be addressed honestly.

the uk has great social support. she is going to need to be brave and make some grown up decisions. help is there if she really wants it.

my best to you both.

edit: oh yeah! gay/lesbian relationships are also recognized in the UK (yay!).

Edited January 15, 2012 by mr and mrs

[Dan & Jenni 457]

It's been on-going for quite some time now. Her mother is just generally horrible towards her and the situation is not safe for her at all. I'm going to try my best to have her contact social services regardless, because her safety is definitely far more important than anything else!

Thank you

whether or not she visits you using the VWP her immediate safety is the most important issue so yeah do your best to convince her to go to social services

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

I understand and you are very brave for trying to help her.

The UK has several safety nets for young people. There are often organizations that cater to young people through art and music. For instance in my husband's home town there is a music collaborative called the Nerve Centre from where I am sure a young person could get immediate help.

Hopefully you can get this resolved, go to London in September, and see where the next step of your relationship will lead.

[nicolev 3]

if the problems at home have anything to do with gay/lesbian issues (ie mom's not okay with it), there are GLBT groups that will be able to offer assistance. nottingham is a big enough city that there will be a good support network.

one thing to note about canada is that same-sex marriage is LEGAL (yay!) so keep that in mind.

but before doing anything drastic, try to find a solution that allows you both time. she really needs a place she feels safe where she doesnt feel threatened. whatever precipitated her getting kicked out by her mum needs to be examined. if shes 16 and having growing pains, moving country may not be a solution. if she has other issues (drugs alcohol) those need to be addressed honestly.

the uk has great social support. she is going to need to be brave and make some grown up decisions. help is there if she really wants it.

my best to you both.

I hadn't thought to look into gay-related support networks for this situation. Thanks for the idea! I'll definitely look into that to see what our options are in that area.

Canada definitely seems like a fantastic idea, for several different reasons .. of course the marriage equality! But, of course, moving is definitely a "in the future" sort of an idea!

I hadn't realised all the wonderful support networks for homeless youth in the UK until I posted on this forum, so thank you to everyone who has offered advice in that area! I am hopeful that I'll be able to persuade her into getting the help she needs. I think the primary concern for her with the help is that she's afraid of staying with people she doesn't know, and also the situation with not wanting to get her mother in trouble. From what I've been able to find out, it appears as though she'd be able to possibly receive help in some instances on how to have her own flat, so hopefully I can convince her with that idea, even if it means somehow negotiating to have her stay wherever social services tell her to stay first!

Thank you, I really hope everything turns out okay

Edited January 15, 2012 by nicolev

[mr and mrs 187]

she will probably need to compromise with sone of her fears. strangers are only strangers until you get to

know them. she will likely be able to find a situation that she is not only comfortable with, but one that helps her achieve her goals. (school work etc)

i hope she can be brave enough to try some scary things. the reward may be a better life.

[Dan & Jenni 457]

she will probably need to compromise with sone of her fears. strangers are only strangers until you get to

know them. she will likely be able to find a situation that she is not only comfortable with, but one that helps her achieve her goals. (school work etc)

i hope she can be brave enough to try some scary things. the reward may be a better life.

[nicolev 3]

she will probably need to compromise with sone of her fears. strangers are only strangers until you get to

know them. she will likely be able to find a situation that she is not only comfortable with, but one that helps her achieve her goals. (school work etc)

i hope she can be brave enough to try some scary things. the reward may be a better life.

I definitely need to convince her to at least consider seeking help. It's so very, very important.

Also, if anyone at all could help with this bit, that'd be great .. but, I'm also concerned about what will happen when she is in public care (if this ends up happening) .. will she still have some way to speak to me? I.e. internet access, access to a telephone, etc? I'm really worried about that since the two of us staying in contact is very important not just for our relationship, but her future in general since I need to be able to know where she is and how she's doing to get to her

[mr and mrs 187]

being on govt assistance is not a prison sentence. she is not going to give up all modern conveniences. she will likely have a place to stay with some internet access and possibly a stipend which could be used (in part) to stay in touch via internet cafes or telephones for example.

she needs to learn about what sort of help is available to her. she will probably have a few choices. she can pick what is most comfortable. for example it might be staying near to nottingham, or having her own room, or a program that helps her to find work and be self-sufficient.

the more information she has the less scared she will be. she may even view this as a real opportunity to improve her life.