The Abu Sayaff want to marry my fiance and put her in a Harem; any ideas on expediting this paperwork? Help please..

[mojorayjones 2]

Hi. I'm looking to send the I-129F package off today. I found VJ very helpful after getting some bad advice that I paid for.

My fiance is from the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), the Island and Province of Tawi-Tawi to be exact, in the Philippines. Currently she is residing in Manila in a boarding house while we wait for the embassy to notify her.

The laws in ARMM allow men, to marry any woman they want, if they present a dowry. The family could reject the "proposal" by matching the amount of the dowry, which is virtually impossible for most families. Furthermore, polygamy is allowed in ARMM. That's right, good old Polygamy! It's Legal! Therefore, a woman, can find herself married to a strange man they do not love, who has several wives.

My fiance is 22 years old, a Licensed Midwife, and both of her parents are deceased. Several men were pursuing her as a bride; men she did not like at all. She is Catholic, and they were Muslims. She has many Muslim friends, in fact her best friend is a Mulsim woman, and she worked in a hospital with Muslims too; but did not want to marry these men. All of her sisters are legally and happily married, so they are not eligible. She has no brothers, her parents are dead.

Furthermore, the ARMM, and the Sulu Sea area, is well known as home of the terrorist group, Abu Sayaff. When I was there in January 2009, three Red Cross Workers were kidnapped on Basilan Island. The region is no stranger to terror and war.

After we got engaged in July 2008, she remained on Bohol Island, with her cousins. Bohol is not part of ARMM, therefore she was not subject to the strict marriage laws. She moved to Manila recently to be close to the embassy, but she also wants to continue her career as a Midwife, just to stay industrious and of course generate income. She has not found a position in Manila yet. I am supporting her, like I have been since I met her.

Is there anybody with experience in getting the process expedited? I think my fiance is in a different situation than most. She is vulnerable in her own country, in her hometown, and now she is a young lady in Manila for the first time, scary. I actually have to support her financially to keep her away from ARMM, where her she once had a job in hospital and a house she still owns (she inherited from her Mother). I can handle this, but it's not easy.

Do the State Department or Embassy take any of these things into consideration while reviewing the Applicant?

I appreciate any thoughts or advice, especially from anybody who has been in a similar situation.

Thank You in advance!

Edited April 8, 2009 by mojorayjones

[Nik+Heather 122]

How many of these problems go away if you marry her and apply for a spouse visa?

[tom&tata 2]

I don't care about the polygamy part - same way I feel about polyandry or other non-traditional marriage.

What caught my eyes is the part that you wrote that the girl has to marry anybody who come up with dowry & has to come up with more money to reject that. Maybe you could ask in Philippines forum about this issue because there might be members coming from that area who has knowledge about this issue. Further, yes you can get married & avoid this issue because my bet polyandry is not allowed.

[purdy_chris 0]

the best thing to do is to let her stay in Manila while on this process. It will not affect the petition as long as she will not get married to any of those men. Filipina has their lawful rights to choose whom they want to get married no matter how many Muslims proposed to her.

[mojorayjones 2]

Thanks for your input everybody. I actually called the USCIS yesterday, and found out how to make a request for expediting. They have a web page with a criteria listed; then you yourself need to request usually in writing expediting, and tell them why you think you qualify.

That's how it's done I guess. I'll let people know what happens.

Thanks.

How many of these problems go away if you marry her and apply for a spouse visa?

Hi, Thanks for your suggestion, but the spouse visas take as much as twice as long as the fiance visa. That is why we did not marry the last time I visited her.

[Y's_habibitk 2]

Thanks for your input everybody. I actually called the USCIS yesterday, and found out how to make a request for expediting. They have a web page with a criteria listed; then you yourself need to request usually in writing expediting, and tell them why you think you qualify.

That's how it's done I guess. I'll let people know what happens.

Thanks.

How many of these problems go away if you marry her and apply for a spouse visa?

Hi, Thanks for your suggestion, but the spouse visas take as much as twice as long as the fiance visa. That is why we did not marry the last time I visited her.

If a man wants to persue your fiance', wouldnt he have to register the proposal with some sort of counsil or gov entity?

I mean is this happening alot, that the family does not want the daughter married off but cant match the dowry so they "give in"? Probably what is more likely is that the family sees that the daughter will be taken care of so they dont fight the "law" and just go with custom.

Maybe I am WAY off base here, but it seems like there would be some legal hoops to jump through before your fiance' is carted off kicking and screaming to some guys house against her familys wishes. ?? This just seems a bit dramatic, dont you think?

Also, Im sorry but I dont think that your expedite will be accepted.

You having to financially support your finace' is not a valid reason to expedite your petition and place it in front of the many other couples who are also supporting their fiance's or wives.

[tallcoolone 102]

Very brave for you to go to that heavy Muslim area of Philippines

I would just keep her in a boarding house in Manila and wait for the paperwork to be completed.

I have never heard of Visa being expedited for the reason you stated, but you can always ask or try.

You will just have to wait your time which isn't that long, and a boarding house or an apartment can't run more than 100 per month.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

I highly doubt you would be granted an expedite.

Where di u get the information that spousal visas take double the time? I don't believe that is accurate.

[Nik+Heather 122]

How many of these problems go away if you marry her and apply for a spouse visa?

Hi, Thanks for your suggestion, but the spouse visas take as much as twice as long as the fiance visa. That is why we did not marry the last time I visited her.

I don't understand/agree with your reasoning...but then again, I'm also the type who takes the longer but safer bike route and avoids the faster but dangerous one (even if I'm late!!).

If you have such strong convictions that this is a danger to her, and this is a solution, then you should take it. If it's not such a worry that you won't do that, I can't see why it's worthy of an expedite.

[chinese_mutt 11]

I'm from the Philippines, and I've never heard of such ARMM law. You really should get your facts straight and not just rely on second hand info. We do have different family laws for Muslims, but I don't think this situation is condoned by our shariah (forgot the spelling) courts.

She can always seek the help of "Gabriella" or some other Non-governement Organization who protect women's rights.

In no way am I implying fraud or any of that stuffs, BUT you really should investigate more on your fiance's claim. I don't want to get in between the two of you, and this is just a friendly advice. Check out details, facts, and not just traditions and hear says. I'm from the Philippines, I'm studying law right now, never heard of such thing.

Anyhoo, don't get mad at some of the comments here about you getting a preferential treatment or some sort, we're all waiting for our love ones. Some of us here are even married already. Your fiance's claim sounds a bit too... exaggerated and unbelievable. I live in the Philippines, even I can't wrap my head around it (i mean no disrespect here)

Good luck!

[meowmeowmeow 1]

Hi. I'm looking to send the I-129F package off today. I found VJ very helpful after getting some bad advice that I paid for.

My fiance is from the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), the Island and Province of Tawi-Tawi to be exact, in the Philippines. Currently she is residing in Manila in a boarding house while we wait for the embassy to notify her.

The laws in ARMM allow men, to marry any woman they want, if they present a dowry. The family could reject the "proposal" by matching the amount of the dowry, which is virtually impossible for most families. Furthermore, polygamy is allowed in ARMM. That's right, good old Polygamy! It's Legal! Therefore, a woman, can find herself married to a strange man they do not love, who has several wives.

My fiance is 22 years old, a Licensed Midwife, and both of her parents are deceased. Several men were pursuing her as a bride; men she did not like at all. She is Catholic, and they were Muslims. She has many Muslim friends, in fact her best friend is a Mulsim woman, and she worked in a hospital with Muslims too; but did not want to marry these men. All of her sisters are legally and happily married, so they are not eligible. She has no brothers, her parents are dead.

Furthermore, the ARMM, and the Sulu Sea area, is well known as home of the terrorist group, Abu Sayaff. When I was there in January 2009, three Red Cross Workers were kidnapped on Basilan Island. The region is no stranger to terror and war.

After we got engaged in July 2008, she remained on Bohol Island, with her cousins. Bohol is not part of ARMM, therefore she was not subject to the strict marriage laws. She moved to Manila recently to be close to the embassy, but she also wants to continue her career as a Midwife, just to stay industrious and of course generate income. She has not found a position in Manila yet. I am supporting her, like I have been since I met her.

Is there anybody with experience in getting the process expedited? I think my fiance is in a different situation than most. She is vulnerable in her own country, in her hometown, and now she is a young lady in Manila for the first time, scary. I actually have to support her financially to keep her away from ARMM, where her she once had a job in hospital and a house she still owns (she inherited from her Mother). I can handle this, but it's not easy.

Do the State Department or Embassy take any of these things into consideration while reviewing the Applicant?

I appreciate any thoughts or advice, especially from anybody who has been in a similar situation.

Thank You in advance!

Islam does not allow for a woman to be married against her will. I would ....be careful about what you've been told. That doesn't make much sense.If these people really follow Islam properly, then there's really no way that this is possible. I've never heard of a family having to match a dowry in order to not allow their daughter to marry, that's another strange point....either you're being lied to or there are some real whackjobs over there. Sorry dude.