Ailing father to walk daughter down aisle after lengthy immigration struggle

Friday, 14 February 2020

A bride-to-be will be walked down the aisle by her ailing father on home soil after a lengthy battle over her fiance's visa application.

Racheal​​ Broyden, 48, postponed her wedding to Chiedozie Innocent twice due to delays with Immigration New Zealand, but a visa has since been granted and a happy homecoming awaits them in April.

This means her father, who suffers from emphysema, can be by her side.

The couple, who live in the United Arab Emirates, had initially planned to wed in an intimate ceremony with Broyden's family in Palmerston North in June. Innocent is originally from Nigeria.

**READ MORE:

* Immigration criteria for determining a genuine and stable relationship is outdated, couple say

* Kiwi bride's homecoming wedding postponed twice due to Nigerian fiance's visa limbo**

But the big day was called off when the groom-to-be was denied entry after immigration officials put their relationship under the spotlight. 

When asked to prove they had lived together for two years, the couple explained it was illegal to live together in the UAE or even hold hands in public places. Devout Christians, they also believe it is not proper to live together before marriage. 

Broyden is finally putting her wedding plans into action, but still questioned why two people must live together to obtain a partnership visa. 

'I do not understand Immigration NZ's stand on this,' Broyden said. 

'In our case, we could demonstrate two reasons why we do not live together. Firstly, we are trying to live by the standard God instructs us… and, secondly, we live in a country where you go to prison if you are caught cohabitating [before marriage].'  

She questioned why the benchmark for determining a stable relationship was cohabitation before marriage and said blunt immigration rules would only prevent love flowering between people of different cultures and religions. 

Keith Broyden, who spent a chunk of last year in hospital, said he was 'extremely relieved' he could be part of his daughter's big day before his health worsened. 

The bride's mother, Madge, has her own health difficulties, suffering from arthritis in both legs. Both were unable to board an 18-hour flight to attend a wedding in the UAE. 

Keith said he had kicked his feet up while his wife and children ensured the wedding went to plan. 

'As most men, I sit in the background and wait for the day. It's certainly a relief… There was a strong possibility that they would be married over there [UAE] and there's no way I could have travelled that far,' he said. 

'It has been a challenging year. The ongoing planning and changes [when Innocent's visa was denied] has been a rollercoaster.' 

The couple are set to marry in front of about 40 people at Gateways Christian Fellowship Church in Palmerston North.

Photos will be taken at the lagoon, followed by dinner at Viva Cafe and Bar Turkish.