Jump to content
SallyTheCamel

Help and advice need

By SallyTheCamel in Middle East and North Africa

 Share

5 posts in this topic

Recommended Posts

SallyTheCamel Newbie

SallyTheCamel   0

Posted
Filed: Other Country: Saudi Arabia
 Timeline
Posted

I married my Saudi husband in 2007 and everything was splendidly easy as far as the process goes. Consular processing was a breeze, removal of conditions was simple, and his citizenship was granted a year ago. But our marriage has always been rocky. I'd like to kick myself a thousand times and to it all over again.

Two years ago I moved to his home country with our child because I was afraid NOT to, worried that someday he would actually follow through with his plan to move home and take her with him. We've been discussing divorce for a long time, and while I'm ok with my marriage ending, I am terrified of losing my child. My problem is twofold. Here goes...

As some of you may already know, I have virtually no rights when it comes to divorce and custody while living here in Saudi. The father takes the children after the age of 7 unless he can be proven to be crazy or a drug addict. Emphasis on proven. If he divorces me here, I am not only at risk for losing my sponsorship and having to return home empty handed (although I don't think he would ever force me to leave), but also at risk for having very little, if any, rights to my child. Basically, I'd get to see her as often as he lets me. And if I get remarried, the deal is off. So I'm basically looking at the next decade or two here alone and miserable.

My child has dual nationality, but the only nationality recognized here is the Saudi one. The US embassy cannot and will not help me with this situation. They're totally hands off.

The second part of my problem lies in getting a divorce in the States when neither of us are living there. My home state requires 6 months of residency, which I am not able to prove other than the random mail with my name on it that still finds its way to my parents' house. I definitely can't afford an attorney back home to do anything on my behalf and have literally zero dollars to my name.

I am utterly at a loss for what to do and where to turn. I'm working on using my connections here to find some legal advice in regards to divorce and custody, but I know that the reality will be pretty bleak. I do not really want to pull off an international Not Without My Daughter scheme as a way to keep my child, because there wouldn't be anything stopping him for doing it back to me someday. I want to be out of this marriage and have no idea how to go about divorce in two countries. I'm just stuck.

I know I'm new here and this is all totally jumbled, but any and all practical advice that anyone can lend me would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
mymarriagejourney Community Regular

mymarriagejourney   113

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Jordan
 Timeline
Posted

I know it's easy for me to say from my vantage point, but I would stay in the marriage until my daughter was grown. There is no way you are going to get custody.

07/19/12 - Married

Adjustment of Status from F-1 Student Visa: Day 00 - 07/20/12 - Sent I-130, I-485, I-765, I-131

Day 03 - 07/23/12 - Confirmation from USPS that package was received in Chicago - signed for by D Colonna

Day 11 - 08/03/12 - Acceptance confirmation texts and emails

Day 14 - 08/06/12 - Checks cleared

Day 18 - 08/10/12 - Received biometrics appointment notice (dated 08/06/12 for appointment on 08/30/12)

Day 22 - 08/14/12 - Completed biometrics via successful walk-in at Columbus, OH office (We were the only ones there!)

Day 25 - 08/17/12 - Received NOAs

Day 36 - 08/28/12 - Notice via text of interview on 10/02/12

Day 38 - 08/30/12 - Received interview notice hard copy

Day 65 - 09/24/12 - Notice via text of I-131 approval

Day 71 - 10/02/12 - Interview

Day 71 - 10/02/12 - Text messages of APPROVAL of I-130 and I-485 - Card in Production

Day 78 - 10/09/12 - Received Welcome Notice

Day 80 - 10/11/12 - Received Conditional Green Card

Removal of Conditions: Day 00 - 07/07/14 - Sent I-751

Day 03 - 07/10/14 - Confirmation from USPS that package was received in California

Day 07 - 07/14/14 - Check cleared

Day 07 - 07/14/14 - Received NOA (dated 07/10/14)

Day 14 - 07/21/14 - Received biometrics appointment notice (dated 07/17/14 for appointment on 08/01/14)

Day 18 - 07/25/14 - Completed biometrics via successful walk-in at Columbus, OH office (We were the only ones there...again!)

Day 38 - 08/14/14 - Text message of APPROVAL of 1-751 - Card in Production

Day 43 - 08/19/14 - Notice via text indicating card has been mailed

Day 44 - 08/20/14 - Notice via text with USPS tracking number

Day 46 - 08/22/14 - Received Permanent Green Card

Naturalization: Day 00 - 08/21/15 - Sent N-400

Day 03 - 08/24/15 - Confirmation from USPS that package was received in Arizona

Day 07 - 08/28/15 - Check cleared

Day 10 - 08/31/15 - Acceptance confirmation text and email

Day 14 - 09/04/15 - Received NOA (dated 08/28/15)

Day 24 - 09/14/15 - Received biometrics appointment notice (dated 09/05/15 for appointment on 09/21/15)

Day 28 - 09/18/15 - Completed biometrics via successful walk-in at Columbus, OH office

Day 32 - 09/22/15 - Notice via text and email indicating in line for testing and interview

Day 35 - 09/25/15 - Notice via text and email indicating interview is scheduled

Day 41 - 10/01/15 - Received interview appointment notice (dated 09/28/15 for appointment on 11/03/15)
Day 73 - 11/03/15 - Interview

Day 74 - 11/04/15 - Text message of APPROVAL of N-400 - Oath Ceremony Scheduled

Day 75 - 11/05/15 - Received Oath Ceremony appointment notice (dated 11/04/15 for appointment on 11/17/15)

Day 87 - 11/17/15 - Oath Ceremony - US CITIZEN

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Sarah Elle-Même Rising Star

Sarah Elle-Même   660

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Yemen
 Timeline
Posted

Wow Sally I really feel for you. What a terrible situation to be in. Being the mother and being a foreigner doesn't leave you with a lot of options. As you've surmised, any judge in Saudi Arabia will rule the father get custody. If I were you I would reach out to a few family lawyers over there and see what they say. Maybe there are options you didn't think of yet. If you were to leave, Saudi Arabia is not party to the Hague Convention. They would not return your daughter to you even if a court in the US gave you custody and you may not even be allowed visitation rights. I hope you will be able to find a solution.

Supportively,

Sarah

"If you’re brave enough to say goodbye, life will reward you with a new hello."

- Paulo Coelho

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Mithra Proficient

Mithra   1,185

Posted
Filed: Citizen (pnd) Country: Egypt
 Timeline
Posted

As heartbreaking as it is and as miserable as it sounds, I agree, stay married until she's 18. Being a mother, I feel for you immensely. I can't even imagine what you're feeling. I'm so sorry.

"The truth will set you free. But first, it will piss you off.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
 
Didn't find the answer you were looking for? Ask our VJ Immigration Lawyers.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing
- Back to Top -

Important Disclaimer: Please read carefully the Visajourney.com Terms of Service. If you do not agree to the Terms of Service you should not access or view any page (including this page) on VisaJourney.com. Answers and comments provided on Visajourney.com Forums are general information, and are not intended to substitute for informed professional medical, psychiatric, psychological, tax, legal, investment, accounting, or other professional advice. Visajourney.com does not endorse, and expressly disclaims liability for any product, manufacturer, distributor, service or service provider mentioned or any opinion expressed in answers or comments. VisaJourney.com does not condone immigration fraud in any way, shape or manner. VisaJourney.com recommends that if any member or user knows directly of someone involved in fraudulent or illegal activity, that they report such activity directly to the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement. You can contact ICE via email at Immigration.Reply@dhs.gov or you can telephone ICE at 1-866-347-2423. All reported threads/posts containing reference to immigration fraud or illegal activities will be removed from this board. If you feel that you have found inappropriate content, please let us know by contacting us here with a url link to that content. Thank you.
×
×
  • Create New...