Immigration Divorce Options

Q: I've been posting this all over the net in different forums, but Im getting no responces...maybe I was in the wrong place... I've been posting this all over the net in different forums, but Im getting no responces...maybe I was in the wrong place... I need information regarding an immigration divorce. We have been married for 4 years. We have been separated for over two years, and she hasnt to my knowledge obtained a green card. After the marriage we failed to make some INS meetings, as we were caught up in a rather careless lifestyle of substance abuse. We were married under these circumstances as well. I would like to obtain this divorce to gain some closure and finalty in regards to my recovery. I have heard that there is a way to divorce based on a kind of "indigent" status without all kinds of legal manuevering and massive paperwork. If not, I would like to know how to proceed with a divorce in this delicate situation. We were married on the West Coast, where she now resides, but I now live on the East Coast. I can provide further information if it will help??

A: My sister is visiting tomorrow. She is a former lawyer who has worked with welfare rights (voluntary welfare rights advisor) and currently works for a major charity dealing with child poverty. I asked her a little bit about your problem over the phone, but tomorrow she says she'll have a look at your post and see if she can suggest anything. FWIW, she says that Kendra is probably entitled to benefits, depending on your husband's immigration status. She also said that social workers are no the right people to determine whether you are or are not entitled to Working Parents Tax Credit - the Inland Revenue decides that (and incidently, the Inland Revenue couldn't give two hoots about immigration status, provided you pay your taxes). But you would need to fill in the forms to apply for these benefits if you are to even be considered. She is hoping your rather ignorant but well-meaning social workers can come up with something. She said the nature of your disability isn't as relevant to this as knowledge of the benefit's system, which social workers are usually pretty hot on. Oh, and apparently Canada and UK have some kind of understanding re. welfare benefits and tax (I didn't know about this). In theory, the two systems should work together. My sister said that the CAB is usually pretty quiet if you go during office hours - the noise in the background could have been anything, but anyway, the general public don't sit in the noisy office bit. They have a waiting room, and sound proof rooms where the advisor deals with you. She said that it's much better to see someone face-to-face and she says that from her experience of working in CAB, you should be welcomed and treated sympathetically. She admitted they weren't good over the phone. So, maybe it would be worth finding out where the CAB is, and at least going in and reading the notice-board. Since people use the CAB for all kinds of things (including trivia), no one would think anything badly of you going in. Anyway, I hope this helps. It's terrible the battles we face - I remember the battles Larry had last year. I expect I'll be facing them myself soon. As it is, I've got appointments coming out of my ears, and most of them are coming here.

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