Then they were married in a civil ceremony at the official wedding palace. They were granted permission. What happens. we are told. and there are not that many SovietAmerican marriages. we are told what happens is that the Soviet Union historically holds back about 20 percent of the marriages in which the first 80 percent they grant an exit visa to the spouses who want to Join their spouses overseas. but then they hold back 20 percent as sort of a macabre torture. Russian roulette. if you will. they hold back 20 percent to sort of make an example to discourage other persons from wanting to get married. So it is legal in the Soviet Union to marry an American citizen if you can go through the waiting list. go through the paperwork and get on the waiting list and get permission to marry. but once that happens you have a 20percent chance of then not being allowed to live with your spouse.
Identified stereotypes
The Soviet Union historically holds back about 20 percent of the marriages in which the first 80 percent they grant an exit visa to the spouses who want to Join their spouses overseas. but then they hold back 20 percent as sort of a macabre torture.