Russian friend is being threatened by American Husband

[mshaffer 0]

Hi,

We have a russian friend Kristina that arrived from Moscow about the same time as my wife Natalya. With her husband, she has had a son, just like we have had. Our timelines are about the same, so we began developing a friendship.

Then we have heard and seen things that are not cool:

• He is a bit stable, probably a manic.
• He has kicked her out of the house on more than one occasion. He has denied her food, and monitors all of her spending.
• He recently did not allow her to go to Moscow to attend her brother's funeral.
• He has hidden her passport as well as her 10-month old son's passport.

So she shared some of this with my wife, and we are trying to inform her of her options. She is a conditional green card holder, speaks pretty good English, and she wants to know her rights.

1. Can he deport her?
2. Can he withdraw his AOS?
3. She has no financial resources, how does she proceed with filing a divorce (if that is what she wants to do)?
4. Can he force her out of this house? He claims he owned it before (paid in full) their marriage, but they have been living there for 2 years.
5. What rights does she alimony/child support if she chooses to divorce him?

Anyway, when he is UP, he promises to change and do anything she asks. When his is DOWN, he is emotionally tormenting her.

Any advice is appreciated.

[Rc123rc 528]

I guess he threatened to get her deported or pull her AOS.

1) No, he can't deport her.

2) No, he can't pull the AOS.

3) There are many free or low cost resources available for divorce situations. Start with internet searches in her area.

4) He can't force her out of the house but if he has physically abused her she should file domestic violence charges.

5) Every state has different laws about child support and spousal support. A lawyer will give you the proper answers. A lot of times it's income comparison based. His versus hers.

[mshaffer 0]

Thanks for the info. We will spend half a day with her tomorrow and we have some direction.

[Ebunoluwa 6,136]

Advice marriage counseling and psych evaluation for him. If that doesn't help and if he is bi polar and refuses to take meds or try to control his

behavior then she can divorce him and file ROC with a divorce waiver.

Since a child is involved I suggest getting a lawyer to arrange custody and child support, without one it may not be an outcome she

wants. Hopefully she can make arrangements to get the money for a lawyer or find a pro bono lawyer.

She should move out and into a shelter if he is abusive.

She should also collect evidence of a good faith marriage and co mingled financial evidence which she will need for ROC later.

See the ROC guide and list of good evidence.

To get her passport back she should file a police report.

Since he is unstable and may go off tell her to first be safe before she makes a move, thus moving out and filing a restraining

order if he threatens her or the child.

[Shiobhan 235]

Getting away from a maniac is important to safeguard her and the child

when he has a melt-down she should call 911.

She has to put on her big girl drawers, and go to her embassy and apply for

her passport, then go to infopass get it stamped, and try to get herself a

partime job even.She will have to have a caregiver thats safe while she works

you both could help her. She can go to a shelter and things will get better

[Eric-Pris 1,607]

Sounds like slavery.

I assume that she doesn't work, so she has no money whatsoever. This is what these guys plan for. She basically has no way out. But she can go to a battered women's shelter. There, they may be able to help her find free lawyer to file the divorce.

Can she get family/friends to send her some money to be able to break away from this guy and be able to survive on her own? Without some financial help from somebody, I don't see a way to divorce, move out, file for ROC, and live in the US on her own.

[Jawaree 718]

Get to a shelter & you'll be sorted out

It may not be extremely comfortable, but

you would be on your way to freedom.

So many ppl go hunting for those they

can maginalize & abuse. Get away from

the maniac

[Tony&Natasha 16]

When My wife was issued her Visa in Kazakhstan the Consulate gave her a brochure describing both in English and Russian guidance and resources in the event of domestic violence or other situations a K-1 Visa holder might need some assistance with. I looked on the USCIS website and there is a great deal of guidance there as well. It is my understanding if there is indeed domestic violence of any kind there are legal protections available including protection of LPR status.