Wife abused in UAE and not able to return to Ethiopia

[Freedom 4 Married 0]

I write this very late night, so I'm sorry for my short sentences. But I do thank everyone here for their help for myself and the many others.

My situation...

I married my Ethiopian wife June 30, 2011. I filed my I-130 October 2011. Case went to the National Visa Center in April, 2012. 4 months ago, we got approved the Financial Sponsorship packaged (my father is the Co-sponsor). We are waiting for my wife to send the IV Package to America, so we can send it to the NVC.

My problem...

4 months ago, a few days before the NVC received my case, my wife went to United Arab Emirates through work visa. The US Embassy in Addis Ababa told her that it would takee 5 months to complete her case, and there was no problem her working while waiting. However, when the time came to return to Ethiopia, the company not let her return. They demanded that she pay them 3,500 and pay for visa and plane ticket and medical for her replacement. Only after they found a replacement for her, and after she paid for the new one, then they would let her go. Thankfully, after many meetings at the company and telling them she is married with an American, they forget about replacement and decide they will finally cancel her work visa after she buys plane ticket.

2 weeks ago, Ethiopian Prime Minister dies in Europe. All airports and government offices closed by order of the military. All Ethiopians are told to prepare for insurrection/violence/war. Their media has been constantly telling them that civil war is coming.

My wife is safe in UAE...only if the company not physically/financially/employment abuse her again (that is for another forum topic, but she is personally in great danger for her in UAE also, many times before needing to go to hospital, them refusing to pay salary).

But there is as much danger now in Ethiopia, even worse is that if they open the airports, the offices are still closed because of military. Example, the police and doctors will not care about immigration reports when they are being ordered for war preparations.

Please, help us, anyone, my Ethiopian wife cannot return to Ethiopia because of national shutdown/lockdown and martial law declared. But all her evidence papers are in Ethiopia. She is working in UAE, but we fear for her life because of the constant abuse there.

1...Is there any possibility that I can transfer her case to the UAE?

2...Or can I get her to America through asylum/refugee?

If you not know a solution, then give me any number that I can call for people that can help, not just the usual NVC 603 334 0700. THIS NOT SCAM, we have fought so long to get this case completed. Now the usual/normal process has failed to help our case. I cannot find any answers in the normal way of process. My wife's life is in danger both in UAE and Ethiopia.

[Freedom 4 Married 0]

3...If USA not allow asylum, anyone have experiences with other contries protection of asylum/refugee/or whatever the title would be? Which contries?

Edited August 31, 2012 by Freedom 4 Married

[epsonderby 85]

When seeking asylum, according to the UN, one should go to the nearest safe country.

[Freedom 4 Married 0]

We were so very close to finishing the case...only IV Package, Medical Checkup, Interview. But now that road appears destroyed, we have no other way to go through that. Please some way give us any information that can enlight the new road we need to move on.

When seeking asylum, according to the UN, one should go to the nearest safe country.

That would be inside the United Arab Emirates. But what embassy/office/organization there?

[Freedom 4 Married 0]

I write this very late night, so I'm sorry for my short sentences. But I do thank everyone here for their help for myself and the many others.

My situation...

I married my Ethiopian wife June 30, 2011. I filed my I-130 October 2011. Case went to the National Visa Center in April, 2012. 4 months ago, we got approved the Financial Sponsorship packaged (my father is the Co-sponsor). We are waiting for my wife to send the IV Package to America, so we can send it to the NVC.

My problem...

4 months ago, a few days before the NVC received my case, my wife went to United Arab Emirates through work visa. The US Embassy in Addis Ababa told her that it would takee 5 months to complete her case, and there was no problem her working while waiting. However, when the time came to return to Ethiopia, the company not let her return. They demanded that she pay them 3,500 and pay for visa and plane ticket and medical for her replacement. Only after they found a replacement for her, and after she paid for the new one, then they would let her go. Thankfully, after many meetings at the company and telling them she is married with an American, they forget about replacement and decide they will finally cancel her work visa after she buys plane ticket.

2 weeks ago, Ethiopian Prime Minister dies in Europe. All airports and government offices closed by order of the military. All Ethiopians are told to prepare for insurrection/violence/war. Their media has been constantly telling them that civil war is coming.

My wife is safe in UAE...only if the company not physically/financially/employment abuse her again (that is for another forum topic, but she is personally in great danger for her in UAE also, many times before needing to go to hospital, them refusing to pay salary).

But there is as much danger now in Ethiopia, even worse is that if they open the airports, the offices are still closed because of military. Example, the police and doctors will not care about immigration reports when they are being ordered for war preparations.

Please, help us, anyone, my Ethiopian wife cannot return to Ethiopia because of national shutdown/lockdown and martial law declared. But all her evidence papers are in Ethiopia. She is working in UAE, but we fear for her life because of the constant abuse there.

1...Is there any possibility that I can transfer her case to the UAE?

2...Or can I get her to America through asylum/refugee?

3...If USA not allow asylum, anyone have experiences with other contries protection of asylum/refugee/or whatever the title would be? Which contries? That would be inside the United Arab Emirates. But what embassy/office/organization there?

If you not know a solution, then give me any number that I can call for people that can help, not just the usual NVC 603 334 0700. THIS NOT SCAM, we have fought so long to get this case completed. Now the usual/normal process has failed to help our case. I cannot find any answers in the normal way of process. My wife's life is in danger both in UAE and Ethiopia.

We were so very close to finishing the case...only IV Package, Medical Checkup, Interview. But now that road appears destroyed, we have no other way to go through that. Please some way give us any information that can enlight the new road we need to move on.

[Que Saudade 284]

This is a difficult situation. You will not get many responses this late at night. Posting multiple times will not get you answers any quicker.

Be patient and hopefully someone that may have some information will respond.

I am sorry for your situation. I wish I had some kind of answer for you, but I don't.

Good luck....

[Que Saudade 284]

Maybe you should consult a knowledgeable and reputable immigration lawyer..... See what they say.

[Penguin_ie 5,996]

*** two topics merged and several others without answers removed. Please do not post more than once on an issue/ question *****

[beejay 125]

Is she currently still in UAE? Was her work visa cancelled? Did you she receive a no objection letter from her place of work?

Depending on her current status I believe she may be able to request a transfer of her case to Abu Dhabi but I would call the US embassy in Addis Ababa to see what they suggest. They will be aware of the current situation in Ethiopia and hopefully will be able to give you some options on how to proceed.

[Freedom 4 Married 0]

Is she currently still in UAE? Was her work visa cancelled? Did you she receive a no objection letter from her place of work?

Depending on her current status I believe she may be able to request a transfer of her case to Abu Dhabi but I would call the US embassy in Addis Ababa to see what they suggest. They will be aware of the current situation in Ethiopia and hopefully will be able to give you some options on how to proceed.

Yes, she is currently in UAE, still working. All flights to/from Ethiopia are cancelled. The company told her that they will cancel her visa after she shows the company that she bought a ticket to return to Ethiopia.

Edited August 31, 2012 by Freedom 4 Married

[beejay 125]

Yes, she is currently in UAE, still working. All flights to/from Ethiopia are cancelled. The company told her that they will cancel her visa when she shows that she bought a ticket to return to Ethiopia.

Is her current working condition bad enough that it is unsafe for her to continue working? If so, is her company willing to issue her a no objection certificate when her visa is canceled? She is working for a company and not a family correct? Just out of curiosity what company is she working for?

It is possible (but I believe not mandatory) for her case to be sent from Addis Ababa to Abu Dhabi. Given the circumstances I think your request would be considered but you would have to call and request the transfer and it would take some time for the case to get from Addis Ababa to Abu Dhabi. If your wife is in an unsafe situation though and needs to leave her job it does make things more complicated.

[Freedom 4 Married 0]

Is her current working condition bad enough that it is unsafe for her to continue working? If so, is her company willing to issue her a no objection certificate when her visa is canceled? She is working for a company and not a family correct? Just out of curiosity what company is she working for?

It is possible (but I believe not mandatory) for her case to be sent from Addis Ababa to Abu Dhabi. Given the circumstances I think your request would be considered but you would have to call and request the transfer and it would take some time for the case to get from Addis Ababa to Abu Dhabi. If your wife is in an unsafe situation though and needs to leave her job it does make things more complicated.

She is a maid/secretary/cleaner. Because of difficulty with english and phone minutes, I not sure if it is one of the nation oil companies, or one of the national news papers. But it is owned by one of the sheikhs. About the working condition, changes how her manager and supervisor feel that day, who are also foreign workers. She not get paid every month, months without pay and cutting 2/3 pay if I call her when working...had to send money so she could eat...forcing to work other jobs not what her contract is for...16 hours work days, can be called in anytime...needing to go to hospital so far at least 5 times for infections because of on job accidents, and heatstroke, high blood pressure, and back muscle injuries.

Edited August 31, 2012 by Freedom 4 Married

[Freedom 4 Married 0]

It is possible (but I believe not mandatory) for her case to be sent from Addis Ababa to Abu Dhabi. Given the circumstances I think your request would be considered but you would have to call and request the transfer and it would take some time for the case to get from Addis Ababa to Abu Dhabi. If your wife is in an unsafe situation though and needs to leave her job it does make things more complicated.

4 months ago, we got our financial cosponsorship Affidavit of Support accepted. The only things left to do are the IV Package, Medical, and Interview. I not know if Addis Ababa has our case yet. Do you know if an embassy would have our case before IV Package? Or just NVC knows our case now?

Edited August 31, 2012 by Freedom 4 Married

[Freedom 4 Married 0]

If so, is her company willing to issue her a no objection certificate when her visa is canceled?

What is a no objection certificate?

[beejay 125]

She is a maid/secretary/cleaner. Because of difficulty with english and phone minutes, I not sure if it is one of the nation oil companies, or one of the national news papers. But it is owned by one of the sheikhs. About the working condition, changes how her manager and supervisor feel that day, who are also foreign workers. She not get paid every month, months without pay and cutting 2/3 pay if I call her when working...had to send money so she could eat...forcing to work other jobs not what her contract is for...16 hours work days, can be called in anytime...needing to go to hospital so far at least 5 times for infections because of on job accidents, and heatstroke, high blood pressure, and back muscle injuries.

Unfortunately, as you probably know, this is very standard of the working conditions for certain nationalities in UAE. I know that a few years ago they changed the law that if you were not paid in 2 months you could file a complaint with the ministry of labour but I'm not sure that it did any good. There have been some laws about working outside during the hottest hours of the day but I know many companies ignore them or just pay the fine and continue to ignore the law. As a worker she has very few rights..it's a very tough situation. Does your wife have her passport with her? She will need her passport for her interview and if she does interview in Abu Dhabi she can use the interview letter to get it back. Although you still may need to make some intimidating phone calls to make them follow the law. Do you know if the company is owned by Sheik Mohammed or a different Sheik?

I think you need to have a talk with your wife to see what she wants to or is willing to do. As I see it she either waits it out in UAE and has her interview there (if you are nearing the end of your NVC stage it should be coming up, possibly 3 months out) or she can fly back to a neighboring country (again using the interview letter to get her passport back) and then try and cross into Ethiopia by land to have her interview there. If you feel Ethiopia is too uncertain right now and if she is scared to wait it out in UAE then I would consult a lawyer to see what your options might be about trying to interview in a different country where she would not have legal status. Whatever the case I would do it quick because if you can figure out where you want your interview before your case leaves NVC all the better. In face if you can hold off sending the IV packet until you decide that might be better.

4 months ago, we got our financial cosponsorship Affidavit of Support accepted. The only things left to do are the IV Package, Medical, and Interview. I not know if Addis Ababa has our case yet. Do you know if an embassy would have our case before IV Package? Or just NVC knows our case now?

If the case is still at NVC you can call them about sending your case to Abu Dhabi. It should be easier and quicker than if your case was already at Addis Ababa. Was her residence listed as UAE? Did you include a copy of her residence visa in your initial petition? (If not you may want her to fax a copy of it to you so you can send it to NVC if needed). Try typing in the search feature "Change consulate NVC" and see what comes up or hopefully someone else who knows the specific process can help you.