Official processing Pratya and Olga 's documents. The application process costs thousand of dollars because of the investigation into the couple's "true relationship" conducted by the USCIS.

Beach landscape and security camera inside an immigration officer's cubicle. Photography is strictly forbidden; even as the immigration authorities rifle through our intimate photos, we are not allowed to question them.

Before 1986, joining one's spouse in the United States was easy. In 1986, the FBI released (later proven incorrect) information that 1/3 of all mixed immigration status marriages are fraudulent. Every couple is under suspicion of fraud, and ICE distributes flyers like these in immigrant neighborhoods like ours. An anonymous tip can upend a married couple's life or result in separation.

Pratya and Olga embrace in a cheap motel in LA. Traveling together is an important way to prove the legitimacy of one's relationship to immigration authorities. Couples who can't afford to travel together are at a disadvantage.

Pratya and Olga in their room

Pratya constantly worries whether the evidence of their relationship will be sufficient for the USCIS.

An apple with an imprint of Olga's teeth

Olga's skin with a bite mark. The evidence is everywhere, but it is nor the kind of evidence one can show to strangers.

Pratya places arm on Olga's head.

The view from their aparment window. During the lockdown, many people lit up fireworks in the street. but Pratya was afraid to participate to avoid even a minor encounter with the police.

Pratya and Olga's windows at night.

Cracked window in our apartment. We are afraid to ask our landlord to fix it because we need him to confirm to immigration authorities that we live in the same apartment.

Blood and toothpaste. Dental care in the United States is inaccessible, and Olga's gums bleed very badly.

The motel enrance at night.

Pratya and Olga relaxing in bed.

In the Green Card interview, we have to explain where each object is located in our room and answer questions like, "what side of the bed does your spouse sleep on?"

Pratya's hair

Internal USCIS document obtained through Freedom of Information Request and a photograph of Olga and Pratya in bed.

Olga and Pratya in bed. A photograph like this cannot be submitted as evidence of their relationship; on the contrary, it would raise suspicious by being "explicit."

I couldn't bear it if you were forced to disappear

torn sheets

Rooms for rent advertised on store shutters in Pratya and Olga's neighborhood.

The Green Card application process is a tug of war between privacy and exposure