I have been assaulting for decades to be able to reside in my personal nation using my Canadian spouse, however the Security from Relationship Act (DOMA) was clogging me personally out-of my personal to follow joy within means. Even after writing emails to each and every senator and every presidential candidate twice up to and you will popular celebrities, eg Ellen DeGeneres, calling immigration solicitors in addition to ACLU, along with speaking with anyone who carry out listen, they checked you to my personal fantasy try no nearer to becoming a reality. That is up to whenever abruptly DOMA fell, once being stated unconstitutional. Mindy and i also prominent in the spirit that have tens of thousands of almost every other bi-national gay partners global simply awaiting the easy to get home. The one and only thing try a pile out-of files.
The first step – Filing new We-130 Petition
I got so you can travel from your quarters in Chiang Mai, Thailand as a result of Bangkok in order to file new petition so you can recruit Mindy due to the fact American Consulate within the Chiang Mai cannot handle immigration claims. Physically across about Western embassy ‘s the Homeland Cover workplace. Apart from make payment on $420 filing percentage during the Western Embassy, the whole petition process occurred for the fifteenth flooring away from Tower A couple of Sindhorn Strengthening State-of-the-art.
Shortly after turning in the fresh new petition setting together with support papers, paying the filing fee and you will fixing a mistake I experienced produced whenever completing the proper execution (I was maybe not produced on the 1800’s), I found myself requested basically you may stand a little prolonged while the brand new “administrator desires talk to me”. Not sure just what it implied, We waited patiently that have plenty of time before my come back journey so you’re able to Chiang Mai.
Inside 10 minutes I was summoned on windows and you may asked to improve my personal right hand and you may claim in all honesty. After staring from inside the admiration during the a huge purple “approved” stamp from mug while i affirmed the facts of one’s function not as much as oath, I found myself advised one to my personal petition is recognized. During the surprise and gratitude that the officer got turned exactly what normally takes thirty days with the a few minutes, I thanked their particular to possess expediting the method. She tested me rectangular on the eyes and you will told you, “You may have waited long enough”. I nearly cried right there throughout the Homeland Coverage workplace while the it was for the first time that my personal matrimony is actually acknowledged because of the my very own regulators and you may my personal challenge are confirmed. I leftover any office with my approval letter at hand and my personal give held stuffed with victory.
Second step – Packet 3
The joy reduced even if after awaiting two months instead hearing one thing. We fundamentally inquired during the Job Place of work in Bangkok concerning our very own second step only to learn they’d sent aside an instruction letter one month once my personal petition had started acknowledged but i never ever gotten they. Damn chaud NГ©palais femmes!
However, no less than we were straight back on track. It had been the second step off trying to get a beneficial eco-friendly cards would be to complete Package 3, hence inside an on-line section (Mode DS 260) plus the filling in away from a keen Affidavit (Mode I-864) in my situation, indicating (and swearing) which i you will definitely economically help Mindy. There have been many supporting files necessary for this, such as for instance income tax info, evidence of domicile, proof of a position an such like. Mindy along with requisite a background try to find all the nation she got lived in because the sixteen yrs old. That it implied i called for background records searches to possess Canada, Germany and you may Thailand and undoubtedly aforementioned a few would need becoming officially translated into English.
