Forced marriage for VISA

PM

Hi I posted a while back. Basically my friend got married to guy from india, it turned ugly, and shes been trying to get out for a while. Its been just over a year now and finally everyone is excepting its over but shes being forced and pressured not to do anything till after another year so he gets a British Passport.

Hes made her life hell and turned everyone around her against her. Can anyone advise on situation regarding divorcing him and getting him deported?

He has been violent in past and they have been living under same roof but in seperate rooms for months now, although he will now be moving out. He only got a job a couple months ago and taken thousands of ££ from her.

Main Questions are:
How can she get divorce through asap even if he contests it,
As shes getting pressured by family, and others not to shop him in who can she approach, police? Immigration? And will they send him back?

Any help would be great.

shelley_crow

What a horrible situation for your friend to be in. If she doesn't want to stay married to this guy then she shouldn't be pressured into it, the sooner she can get out the better. Are there any children involved? I would ring women's aid and ask their advice, especially if she is in fear of her safety. If she can, sneak out key documents eg, passports, marriage certificates, bank cards etc to a safe place he doesn't have access to. She may end up in a refuge but it sounds like she would be best away from her "husband" until things can be sorted out. I don't know RE: divorce but here are some people who should be able to help -

the Forced Marriages Helpline -

Forced Marriage Helpline: 0800 5999 247

There is an advice line operated by the Home Office to get advice on/report forced marriages

Forced Marriage Unit on 020 7008 0151. More info here -

http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/fco-in-action/nationals/forced-marriage-unit/

PM

No kids involved. If she goes for divorce could he ask for money from state to contest? How likely is it to go through and how long? Anyone have any idea Thanks

margaretclare

You can't get divorced in under a year of marriage, but as they've been married over a year she can start divorce proceedings on the grounds that the marriage has 'irretrievably broken down' and she can cite his 'unreasonable behaviour'. This should all be fairly straightforward. She shouldn't allow herself to be pressured into any other considerations - the fact that he wants to become a British Citizen!!! - seems a 'red herring' really, the marriage has broken down, end of story. Citizens' Advice may suggest a divorce lawyer locally.

Do we really want a man like that acquiring a British passport and the right to live here, no doubt taking on another woman here and treating her the same??

When DH got divorced in 1999 we were told that it's fairly unusual nowadays for any divorce petition to be contested. If a marriage has broken down that's it, it's fairly straightforward. On what grounds would he want to contest? 'That I want a British passport, your honour?' On yer bike!

Divorce the b*stard soonest!

sporedude

Get the b*stard deported back to India where he belongs.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

I agree with SporeDude. It's a legitimised form of rape. He can't stop the divorce, I suspect that an annulment is perfectly legal. Police and immigration. Emphasize the risk of violence. AND GET OUT - she doesn't want to take the chance of being found in a suitcase.

sporedude

Yep too many cases involving foreigners have became nasty.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Cases not involving non British nationals have also ended up in a similar way - being violent once ups the ante to me - makes murder far more likely, whatever the nationality.

sporedude

Sorry thats what I meant, Even with British Nationals it can have a tragic end. Its obvious this guy only wants a Visa or British Passport.

charlottesmum_2

is he likely to be travelling out of the country any time soon? you could ring immigration at the airport and tell them marriage is effectivley over. they might be able to do something when he tries to come back in. or call Home Office and report him there. you would need full details though - as much info as possible.

RAS

Any luck with this yet?HAve you contacted the forced Marraige Unit.

They will help her get out of the situation and provide her with a safe house if needed.