MAIN INFORMATION
Breanna Daniels, Guyana.
Jamahl H. Gibbons, USA.
Breanna and Jamahl met online and have been together from 16 April 2015. They have been in a long-distance relationship ever since, but in 2020 they decided they wanted to get married and live together.
Because of Covid-19, they last saw each other on 30 August 2019.
They are currently 4,027 km apart.
Jamahl H. Gibbons, USA.
Breanna and Jamahl met online and have been together from 16 April 2015. They have been in a long-distance relationship ever since, but in 2020 they decided they wanted to get married and live together.
Because of Covid-19, they last saw each other on 30 August 2019.
They are currently 4,027 km apart.
STORY OF SEPARATION
Breanna and Jamahl had planned their wedding for late 2020. But, Covid-19 forced them to return to the long-distance and virtual relationship of their beginnings. The situation was frustrating. Virtual dating had been ok when they were getting to know each other. But, now they were so close to finally being together. And while experiencing one another on the phone was comforting, the lack of physical contact was difficult: to know what it is like to be in someone’s presence and how close you were to that. “Seeing that person on the screen, you just have this longing to be beside them,” says Breanna. “It is frustrating when you have plans, and you want to move on as a couple, but you cannot do that. It’s frustrating with the sadness that comes in between that.”
“Even if people are committed to marrying, it’s not a simple and easy solution to reunite because getting spousal and fiancé visas can take one to two years. Systems that perpetuate harm all the time but, we just never noticed it before.”
Krishni Metivier, Love Is Not Tourism Campaigner
“Even if people are committed to marrying, it’s not a simple and easy solution to reunite because getting spousal and fiancé visas can take one to two years. Systems that perpetuate harm all the time but, we just never noticed it before.”
Krishni Metivier, Love Is Not Tourism Campaigner
TIME APART
Breanna and Jamahl had planned their wedding in the US for late 2020 before the pandemic, which meant Jamahl could apply to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for a K-1 Finacé(e) Visa for Breanna. The K-1 is a nonimmigrant visa allowing a non-US citizen to enter the country to marry a US citizen. Requirements include the non-citizen entering the US within six months of receiving the visa. The couple must also intend to marry within 90 days of their arrival and have met within two years of the application date. The process entails $800 in fees and can take almost a year. Following the marriage, the non-citizen must file an 'adjustment of status', involving additional fees, to receive permanent residency (a green card). The experience was challenging and nerve-racking, and since they applied, Breanna’s travel visa also became invalid.
Then, in March 2020, Covid-19 hit. And, to their dismay, the Department of State suspended routine visa services worldwide. Alongside this, the Government of Guyana cancelled all international passenger flights on 18 March 2020, seven days after the first imported case was confirmed. Breanna and Jamahl were separated, and the application that would have enabled them to be together was put on hold indefinitely. It took a whole five months, until July 2020, for the US Embassies and Consulates to begin the phased resumption of their services. At the start of 2021, the US Embassy in Guyana was still only offering limited nonimmigrant visa appointments.
Breanna’s invalid travel visa forced the couple to submit an I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e), which cost a further $535. They met the criteria in planning to marry within 90 days of Breanna’s arrival and having met each other in person within the two years before. On 10 February 2021, their case was approved, paving the way for Breanna to travel to the US to be with Jamahl. However, the couple is still waiting for her to be permitted to do this.
Then, in March 2020, Covid-19 hit. And, to their dismay, the Department of State suspended routine visa services worldwide. Alongside this, the Government of Guyana cancelled all international passenger flights on 18 March 2020, seven days after the first imported case was confirmed. Breanna and Jamahl were separated, and the application that would have enabled them to be together was put on hold indefinitely. It took a whole five months, until July 2020, for the US Embassies and Consulates to begin the phased resumption of their services. At the start of 2021, the US Embassy in Guyana was still only offering limited nonimmigrant visa appointments.
Breanna’s invalid travel visa forced the couple to submit an I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e), which cost a further $535. They met the criteria in planning to marry within 90 days of Breanna’s arrival and having met each other in person within the two years before. On 10 February 2021, their case was approved, paving the way for Breanna to travel to the US to be with Jamahl. However, the couple is still waiting for her to be permitted to do this.
“It is frustrating when you have plans, and you want to move on as a couple, but you cannot do that. It’s frustrating with the sadness that comes in between that.”
Breanna Daniels
“It is frustrating when you have plans, and you want to move on as a couple, but you cannot do that. It’s frustrating with the sadness that comes in between that.”
Breanna Daniels
