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‘Sham marriages’: why Europe has to log off its high horse. “Because I favor him, ” Helen answered.

‘Sham marriages’: why Europe has to log off its high horse. “Because I favor him, ” Helen answered.

Postdoctoral research other, University of Amsterdam

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Apostolos Andrikopoulos can not work for, consult, very own stocks in or get financing from any organization or organization that will take advantage of this short article, and contains disclosed no appropriate affiliations beyond their educational visit.

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“how come you wish to marry a Nigerian? ”, a visa officer at a European embassy in Nigeria asked Helen while her partner had been interviewed in a room that is nearby. “I’m asking this more being a dad than an officer, ” the man included.

“Because I favor him, ” Helen answered.

Marriages with non-European nationals, such as compared to Helen along with her Nigerian partner, tend to be suspected of being “sham” and put through controls that are strict. A“sham marriage” or a “marriage of convenience” is one that’s contracted with the purpose of enabling the migrant spouse to obtain a visa or a residence permit for immigration authorities.

The officer appeared to accept that Helen and her partner had been in a relationship and planned getting hitched. But he had been nevertheless doubting the motives of her Nigerian partner. “Do you see that? ” he asked Helen, pointing along with his hand up to a building opposite the embassy. “Yes, i really do, ” she responded.

Well, a man that is nigerian with the capacity of offering you this building today and the next day you understand that the building never actually existed.

A weeks that are few, Helen along with her partner received the headlines that their visa request have been refused. The reason why given was there have been doubts about whether or not hot russian brides the wedding motives for the Nigerian man were “genuine”. Continue reading ‘Sham marriages’: why Europe has to log off its high horse. “Because I favor him, ” Helen answered.