Foreigners and immigration rights

I just want to say a word on the subject of immigration and the problems encountered by foreign spouses. I too had to smuggle my child out of Indonesia, and my ex-husband reported him as being kidnapped.

The consulate in the U.S. got in touch with me, and fortunately, I had my son on an American passport, so my ex- husband was unable to do anything. My ex-husband was psychologically abusive and would send faxes to my son telling him that he was "a son of the devil". He started seeing other women in the my son's seventh month.

The courts were of no help to me. In spite of having our home put in the court's jurisdiction in an attempt to divorce, he ended up living in it with his new "wife" -- in spite of the fact that he was still married to me -- he also had got Indonesian citizenship for her! The police were called in and although I had the support of my neighbors (I lived in Bintaro III) at the time, everything went his way. He has never provided any support for my son. I would dearly have loved to have stayed in Indonesia, but it was easy to see that I would lose more than I was willing to give up.

I respect Indonesia's right to do what it will with its immigration rights, but if Indonesia does not want foreigners in its country, or any intermarriage, the policy should have been made clear long ago.

Foreign parents face incredible hurdles -- especially if one is short of money -- and some concessions and changes need to be made for those who are in this situation now.

MORGAN POLAND, Phoenix, Arizona