Love and Fear: How Marriage Can Turn Into a Nightmare for Immigrants

A young woman from Bangladesh came to the United States in 2022 to pursue her master's degree in information technology. She wasn't looking for romance, but a chance encounter on Facebook changed her plans. A man messaged her, and after a few exchanges, he invited her to a Broadway show. She had never been to one before, so she agreed. Their first date blossomed into a whirlwind romance, and before she knew it, they were married in 2024. She was overjoyed, wearing a simple white dress and tiara, feeling happy and hopeful. The couple moved in with his family in Brooklyn. Her husband filed for a green card, and she received a temporary one. Life seemed promising. However, things took a dark turn. Just over a year later, she found herself separated from her husband, alleging abuse, and fearing deportation. Her story is not unique. Many immigrants face similar threats, especially those who are victims of domestic violence. Immigration enforcement actions have been on the rise in the U. S. This has made communities anxious, as they witness the deportation of friends, family, and coworkers. Victims of domestic violence are particularly vulnerable. Abusive partners often use threats of deportation or withhold legal documents to control their victims. This tactic has become more powerful in recent years, as anti-immigrant sentiments and enforcement actions have increased.

Immigrants in the U. S. on a visa sponsored by a citizen or those who are undocumented have few protections. As relationships turn abusive, partners can threaten deportation, using their loved ones' uncertain immigration status against them. Esther Limb, who works with a non-profit in New York City, has seen a rise in such threats. She represents clients filing petitions to stay in the U. S. after alleging domestic violence. However, the wait for an answer can take years due to backlogs and vetting processes. Immigrants can file to stay in the U. S. under the Violence Against Women Act, but these petitions can take over three years to process. In 2024, there were over 35, 000 such petitions, a significant increase from a decade ago. Immigrants can also apply for a U-visa if they are victims of crimes like domestic violence. However, the wait for approval can be over eight years due to a massive backlog. The woman interviewed is one of many who are living in fear, waiting for their petition to be approved. She left her husband after experiencing verbal and physical abuse. She was given a list of what constitutes domestic abuse and decided she didn't want to go back. Her sister, who had immigrated earlier, supported her decision. However, threats from her ex-husband continued, making her constantly anxious and scared. She is not alone in this fear. Many immigrants are "very, very scared" of being deported or separated from their children.

Actions