I am writing to you as a concerned and helpless citizen of the Republic of China (Taiwan). My name is Lin Chung-Ho, passport number [____]. I feel incredibly blessed to have met my wife, whom I consider an angel sent by God. She is Vietnamese, and her first visit to Taiwan was in 2018 when she legally came to work as a caregiver for my ill father. She looked after him until his passing, and throughout that time, she stayed by my side for over three years.
During those difficult years, I sometimes struggled to pay her salary. Yet, she remained with me, taking care of my father, which allowed me to continue working and supporting us financially. We grew close and fell in love, eventually promising to take care of each other for the rest of our lives. It is in such trying times that true love reveals itself. In 2022, we were married in Vietnam.
However, my wife has not been able to join me in Taiwan since our marriage because we failed the immigration interview required for foreign spouses. I find the government's policies toward foreign spouses to be both harsh and lacking in basic human decency. To join their spouse in Taiwan, foreign nationals must pass an interview conducted by Taiwanese officials. This requirement creates unnecessary hardships for couples like us.
The government should set clear requirements before marriage, so that if a couple does not meet them, they can make informed decisions beforehand. Instead, married couples are forcibly separated, with some waiting over ten years to reunite. Some spouses are unable to come to Taiwan even when their partner falls ill, and in the most tragic cases, the only time they are permitted entry is after their partner has passed away—to attend the funeral.
Forcing a woman to live alone in her home country after marriage places her in an impossible situation, leaving her to face judgment from her family and friends. These policies drive people into desperation. Why is the government so indifferent to the suffering of its own people? There are rumors that bribing officials can help you pass the interview, but those who refuse to do so face a myriad of obstacles. Although there is no evidence that my wife worked illegally in Taiwan, this baseless claim was used to fail our interview.
I have done everything within my power to bring my wife to Taiwan, but it seems that government officials cover for each other, protecting themselves while ignoring the injustices they create. This is a clear violation of human rights, impacting both Taiwanese citizens and their foreign spouses. I kindly ask for your help in addressing this issue and urging the government to correct these unjust policies.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Lin Chung-Ho