Hello-
My fiance was placed in AP sometime after his interview in April, 2009. He is an Iraqi citizen who fled Iraq to Syria due to the war over 2 years ago. Syria does not allow him to work; and he lives in very poor conditions. Every 3 months he has had to apply for a "temporary resident" certificate. It is now getting harder to get and lawyers expect bribe money to get it. His last one cost over $300 and was for only 1 month. With all of that, he lives in fear of the Syrian authorities deporting him back to Iraq-for no other reason than he is an Iraqi.
My question is- We are in AP through the Damascus embassy. What happens if he is sent back to Iraq? I am assuming paperwork would have to be transferred and all- and I am even questioning if the Baghdad embassy is up and fully functional. Not many things in Iraq are open/running and so we are extremely worried. So much so that he doesn't even want to talk about it; but I need to see what we may be up against. Once he leaves Syria, I am sure they would not let him back in.

If it came to this (God forbid) what would be my options at this point? OR are there options that are out there now that can help us avoid this mess?

Thank you for any ideas or thoughts.
Baj

Short answer sorry I'm on my phone at work but try the embassy in Iraq you are right the last I checked they were issuing limited visa but it could have changed my now

My husband was in Syria when we got married and we started the process. He was not lucky enough to keep his visa going so he just had to stay there illegally and try to keep a low profile. He was lucky enough to get to Jordan after one year and then had a visa for about 3 to 6 months (I forget which) before it expired and Jordan refused to renew it. He then had to stay illegally there until his visa finally came through to the US. The Baghdad embassy was never doing visas or interviews during the time we waited so that would never have been an option. Now I guess they have started so you may be in luck. Did you also take the option for your husband to come on refugee? That seemed to go faster for myself and another member compared to other members that only did the spouse/fiance visa. They finish the background checks faster on refugees (maybe they get priority, I don't know) than for immigrant visas for Iraqis. My husband has a friend who was in Syria and married an American. They stayed on AP for about a year before he was finally able to come to the US a few months ago. Syria never kicked him out though he didn't have a valid visa, so hopefully your husband will be fine. I wish you the best of luck and that your husband doesn't have to go back to Iraq.

Thanks for the reply. He is keeping a low profile now as it is- even with a temporary resident card.

I am under the impression that there are only so many refugee visas given out- and a large priority goes to refugee families and/or women with children. He really does not think that he would be a priority for this- but perhaps I should look into it. I do not remember my attorney mentioning this or us really looking into it.

Knowing that your friend waited a year is heartbreaking. Oh my. I am only at the 6 month mark now and it is unbearable. It is just the stress of not knowing if he is okay; if he is getting enough sleep and all; if anyone is harrassing him... and just knowing that he is living in such bad conditions. Luckily, his brother is able to send him money each month and so we are so grateful for this-but the daily stress on both of us is taking its toll.
This is pure hell and I really worry about his health. (and mine- I find myself crying and worrying all of the time)

All we can do is pray- pray for a quick end to our AP and for him to be here living in love and peace.
Thanks.

I totally understand your situation. I waited a total of 18 months after our marriage before my husband came and that doesn't count the time we knew each other before. My husband was going hungry a lot while he was in Syria since his family was in Jordan and couldn't send him much money. Then the worrying if Syria would kick him out. It gave me horrible ulcers I still have problems with. If ever you need encouragement or support let me know as I don't wish that experience on anyone.

As for the refugee, he can apply though at this point it probably will not be faster since he already did his interview and is waiting in AP. In my husband's case, he was automatically eligible for the refugee application as soon as our I-130 was approved. I continued the process for the visa at the same time as the refugee was going through, but refugee went faster. We did notice Iraqi families that applied for refugee at the same time as him got approved several months ahead of him despite him having an American wife. He has some single friends who have come here as well, but the process seems to take about as long as his was. I think we sent off the refugee applications in February of last year and he arrived in the US on Dec 10th. I guess that is about 10 months waiting though the US paid for his physical exam and flew him here on an interest free loan. Because they didn't want to pay for vaccinations, he hasn't been required to get them, lol. I still made him get some after he got here though. The other nice thing is he will get his 10 year green card in one year instead of two years. Also, refugees don't need and affidavit of support since they come here at the invitation of the government so they can qualify for many of the same cash assistance programs any American citizen can like welfare, food stamps, etc. Unfortunately in my case, I made a little too much money so he didn't qualify based on my income though he had none of his own.

Anyway, I wish you the best of luck and hope your AP ends soon. The best thing I can tell you is that when he finally come, you are so happy that it takes most of the pain away from all the waiting. I will say that I still appreciate my husband more because of all the waiting, worrying, crying and stressing out. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, just seems like forever until you reach it. Keep your faith and soon he will be with you.