Bahraini Princess Asks for U.S. Asylum

July 18 -- It sounds like a love story that Scheherazade might have included in her Arabian Nights.  

Meriam Al Khalifa, 19, a member of Bahrain’s royal family, is applying to stay in the United States, after eloping from her country in disguise with a U.S. Marine.

But like any great love story, this one has its obstacles. A San Diego judge on Monday refused to dismiss charges of illegally entering the United States against Al Khalifa, preventing her from applying for permanent residency in the United States without also seeking political asylum.

Now the princess has a year to apply for asylum. She plans to do so, arguing that she faces extreme persecution for marrying a non-Muslim if she returns to her country.

“I did the worst thing possible in my country, to fall in love with a non-Muslim,” she has said. “To make it even worse, he’s an American.”

The threat of persecution is real, her attorney, Jan Joseph Behar, told reporters. “I can guarantee you it is not just ‘Daddy is mad at me,’” he said after the hearing.

The hearing was closed to the public and news media, but Behar described immigration Judge Ignacio Fernandez’s ruling.

Against Her Family’s Wishes

Al Khalifa’s family in Bahrain wants her back home.

Bahraini royals rarely marry outside the family circle. They also belong to Islam’s mainstream Sunni sect. Islam forbids Muslim women to marry non-Muslim men, though Muslim men can marry outside their faith. Al Khalifa’s husband, Pfc. Jason Johnson, 25, is not Muslim.

The State Department also wants her deported, despite her claim that she could be persecuted if she returns.

Al Khalifa’s relatives have said they are prepared to forgive her transgression, a Bahraini government official said Saturday.

“Her family loves her and is really hoping that she will return home,” an Information Ministry official said. “She made a mistake and they are willing to forgive her.”