important question...

[dillydally 0]

hello fellow Vjers

I hope everyone is having a GREAT day so far inshAllah Alrighty...this is something a cousin of my friend is dealing with and I would like your opinion on it. Her cousin is married to her cousin (yes it happens...not so common but in the middle east and other areas it does happen sometimes...and plus its a long story and it had to happen). Now, she is waiting for the interview...but at the interview should her hubby state that they are related or not?? I guess this info would arise during the "How do you know this person? or How did you first meet?". She is worried that stating that they are related may be a good thing...but also may be bad in that some states in the USA do not allow for these marriages. So what do you all think?? Honestly my friend is freaking out in trying to help her cousin and does not know what advice to give...any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[*Maureen* 0]

i am no expert in marriage law but the last time that i knew it is against the law to marry a "first" cousin. I think this would deny the visa. I don't have any advice but i think your friend is going to run into problems. I am sure those questions will be brought up...how did you meet? how long have you known him/her? etc. I would tell your friend not to get her hopes up cuz it doesnt really look good especially if it the embassy in Egypt, so many couple are going through AP and Im sure if it doesnt get revealed during the interview, it will come up through AP.

[dawnnhatem 0]

Well if they are already married and filed and at the interview stage, all they can do is answer questions honestly and see what happens. I wouldn't argue either way because I don't know anything but my first thought is that family arrangemnts of cousin-to-cousin marriages isn't that unusual (locally) and the COs know that. Those circumstances might even help them. Who knows. I would hope that they are filing for just the cr1 and not a K to avoid AOS here. I would think their best hope for smooth sailing would be to process completely there. Wish them luck

[doodlebug 3]

Is one of them a US citizen or are they both trying to come here on their own?

[Nutty 2]

hello fellow Vjers

I hope everyone is having a GREAT day so far inshAllah Alrighty...this is something a cousin of my friend is dealing with and I would like your opinion on it. Her cousin is married to her cousin (yes it happens...not so common but in the middle east and other areas it does happen sometimes...and plus its a long story and it had to happen). Now, she is waiting for the interview...but at the interview should her hubby state that they are related or not?? I guess this info would arise during the "How do you know this person? or How did you first meet?". She is worried that stating that they are related may be a good thing...but also may be bad in that some states in the USA do not allow for these marriages. So what do you all think?? Honestly my friend is freaking out in trying to help her cousin and does not know what advice to give...any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Honesty is the best policy....I think the people at the consulate, having lived in a muslim country, know about the custom of cousins marrying.

It is frowned apon in the US culturally because of the higher risk of genetic defects on the children born to wed cousings. That and the idea that only mountain hill billy's do this sort of thing.

[Nutty 2]

hello fellow Vjers

I hope everyone is having a GREAT day so far inshAllah Alrighty...this is something a cousin of my friend is dealing with and I would like your opinion on it. Her cousin is married to her cousin (yes it happens...not so common but in the middle east and other areas it does happen sometimes...and plus its a long story and it had to happen). Now, she is waiting for the interview...but at the interview should her hubby state that they are related or not?? I guess this info would arise during the "How do you know this person? or How did you first meet?". She is worried that stating that they are related may be a good thing...but also may be bad in that some states in the USA do not allow for these marriages. So what do you all think?? Honestly my friend is freaking out in trying to help her cousin and does not know what advice to give...any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

I have been reading about this on the web. Some states do prohibit marriage between cousins. Not all. I have found nothing in Federal law that prohibits marriage between cousins.

[Ban Hammer 13,445]

I have been reading about this on the web. Some states do prohibit marriage between cousins. Not all. I have found nothing in Federal law that prohibits marriage between cousins.

that's because the states issue marriage licenses, not the federal government.

[sarah and hicham 3]

Tell them to move to West Virginia!

[Ban Hammer 13,445]

Tell them to move to West Virginia!

actually, i know texas did (whether they still do i haven't looked for a while) allow you to marry your first cousin.

[Jenn! 918]

I'm not sure if this will be an issue since they are already married.

[doodlebug 3]

I'm not sure if this will be an issue since they are already married.

it's outlawed in New Hampshire?????

someone outta tell Matty in the Morning!!!

[Jenn! 918]

it's outlawed in New Hampshire?????

someone outta tell Matty in the Morning!!!

What!? Is his new wife his cousin!?

[Ban Hammer 13,445]

what's a double cousin? (north carolina prohibits marriage to a double cousin)

[Jenn! 918]

what's a double cousin? (north carolina prohibits marriage to a double cousin)

Double first cousins share both sets of grandparents rather than just one set. Like two brother/sister couples having kids...

[sara535 15]

I think in the case of immigration the cultural norms of the area are taken into account. Its not uncommon in many parts of the world for people to marry their cousins. not only legal but perfectly socially acceptable. I seem to remember a case here on VJ a couple of years ago, I THINK from India but not sure, but it was two first cousins and they did get approved.