ICE concerns: NZ (27m) + US (26f)
Me and my boyfriend have been in a LDR for 3 years and I’m so worried about ICE. We have vague plans that either of us can move to either country, so I’m open to moving to New Zealand. But it’s not that easy. I have pets (2 dogs and a cat plus a turtle id have to rehome my turtle or leave him with my dad, and most likely leave my cat with my dad since she’s closer to my dad and i would feel so guilty taking her so far from her home)… And I’m living with my dad who relies on me a lot. My mom passed last year and it’s torn my dad apart, so the thought of leaving him alone crushes me. But the thought of never being with my boyfriend crushes me.
My boyfriend on the other hand doesn’t have any pets to bring and his parents are both pretty healthy and have his siblings to care for.
However, with all the stories with ICE, like the kiwi woman Everlee Wihongi being detained without reason, I just can’t see him ever coming here.
I just wanted to see if anyone has experienced similar feelings. If anyone has taken pets overseas on long haul flights in cargo (NZ only allows cargo holds), or left behind older parents with health issues.
I do have time to think about this, since he’s in school and I am working on saving money, so I’m hoping the issue dies down within the next year or two. But the uncertainty kills me sometimes and my anxiety latches onto it. Just looking for reassurance.
For now, I’m just visiting NZ every 6 months as that’s all we can afford. I wouldn’t have him visit me here with how it is currently.