Thread: Canadian bride misses wedding because of U.S. visa rules

Canadian bride misses wedding because of U.S. visa rules
Canwest News Service
Published: Wednesday, September 03, 2008
EDMONTON - For Christine Tyrrell, Tuesday was supposed to be the beginning of her new life.

The 30-year-old was to fly from Edmonton to Houston, where she was to marry her Texan fiance on Sept. 20.

As Tyrrell excitedly approached the customs gate at Edmonton International Airport, her only worry was her satin wedding dress might be too big for carry-on luggage.


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Font:****The customs officer had no problem with Tyrrell's dress but he wouldn't let her board her plane.

Nearly six hours later, Tyrrell found herself driving home instead of flying toward the altar.

"I was supposed to have a fiancee visa," she said.

"Because I didn't have the paperwork or what not, it was recommended that they withdraw my application to enter the States."

Tyrrell's fiance, Joe Marks, had already consulted with U.S. immigration officials however, and they advised him not to get a fiancee visa.

Steve Royster, a spokesman with the U.S. Department of State, said couples like Marks and Tyrrell face two legal avenues: obtain a fiancee visa or marry outside of the U.S. and then petition for an immigrant visa for the non-U.S. citizen.

For Tyrrell, it's now too late to get a fiancee visa in time for her Sept. 20 wedding.

The couple is cancelling the ceremony and will lose around $7,000 in wedding deposits and expenses.

http://www.canada.com/topics/news/natio ... 03f1b22fca

Don't you just love it when the media only gives us part of the story?

Okay, why didn't she have the required paperwork and why was the future groom advised against obtaining a fiancee visa?