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about residence card
Hello, am not EU member and have been living in Belgium for 5 yrs. But my residence card almost 2yrs (f kaart for family reunion, I have a partner, we are not married. But we have two kids and living together, now she want me to leave for her personal interest and I still stay because I love my kids so much. So now am worry if I leave, maybe I lost my residence even if am father of Belgians and if I have right on my kids? Please i need a very good idea and advice. Thank you
> very good idea and advice
Pay a lawyer.
With kids involved you definitely need a lawyer. You can first check with social services at your commune (CPAS), who will at least point you in the right direction.
The other advice is not to have two kids and without any legal bond within five years of moving to a different country.
Dear Godwin, I do not know the answer to your questions but I am writing to wish you good luck. As you are not an EU member, you are getting sharp answers to your question from different people. I am sure the people generally will be like this towards you in Europe. But don't give up, there are nice people, too. It is terrible to be sharp to a worried father who is afraid of loosing his kids. I am sure you will find the right way to deal with the problem. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you!
Godwin
Lawyers largely exist to look after their own well being rather than other people's. They will only work for you if:
you pay them a lot of money,
or the case is one which looks very bad in the public eye, and by working on it they can get free publicity.
That said, there are probably lawyers who are half-decent people at citizens advice offices. When you visit one of these places, I am sure that you will find everything expained on a photocopied handout in reception, since your case must be very common.
Good luck.
Also, you need to appreciate is that even though you are the natural father, the state does not see you as the father as you were not married (probably you appreciate this already). The family permit was effectively applied for by your ex partner, and you cannot get renewal as you are no longer part of the family. Don't lie awake worrying about getting deported: there were only 4000 from Belgium in 2013 (from several hundred thousand non-legits). As you were legal here in the past, you are in a better situation than criminals, refused asylum seekers and those who entered illegally in the first place.
Godwin, I did do some quick web searches. My conclusion was that even if you are on record as parent at the commune, that alone does not mean the state recognizes you as parent. But I could be wrong and suggest a visit to the citizens advice place (no idea what it's called).
