Engaged couple have knot to untie

A New Zealander's American bride-to-be has just learned she may be missing the main man at her wedding.

Lauren Goodine, of Waterville, Maine, has been told the United States Government may not let her fiance, Scott Downie, back into the country in time for their wedding on July 23.

In fact, Mr Downie, who is alleged to have overstayed on a previous visit to the US, may not be allowed back for 10 years.

Meanwhile, Ms Goodine has sent out the wedding invitations, the bridesmaids are buying their dresses, a caterer and photographer have been hired, and relatives from both families have bought their plane tickets.

The US consul in Auckland wrote to Ms Goodine last Thursday, saying Mr Downie had been refused an immigration visa for being in the United States unlawfully more than 365 days in 10 years.

He said a waiver of ineligibility could be considered by the Department of Homeland Security, Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Bangkok.

But the consul, Richard Adams, warned the couple that the process was lengthy.

Ms Goodine, 26, told the Central Maine Morning Sentinel that she and Mr Downie acknowledged he had broken the law and said they were willing to do whatever was asked of them to make up for the mistake.

She said friends and family on both sides had already bought plane tickets for the wedding, which was to be held in her parents' backyard.

Ms Goodine and Mr Downie, 34, met in Waterville four years ago, and he had since then been visiting the United States for several years on and off, working at summer camps and doing other jobs, she said.

They became engaged in January while she was visiting him in New Zealand and immediately set the wedding date. They applied for a "fiance visa", which requires them each to be in their home countries for 90 days, so she returned home.

Ms Goodine learned only last week after Mr Downie's interview with immigration officials that he had been issued with a mandatory 10-year suspension from the United States.

They are now applying for a waiver and enlisting help from family and friends to lobby the US Government.

Ms Goodine could move to New Zealand, but said that would be devastating for her and her large, close-knit family.

- NZPA