When a marriage ends, the legal machinery kicks into high gear—but when immigration status becomes part of the equation, the stakes shift entirely. That’s exactly where 90 Day Fiancé star Thais Ramone finds herself as she faces off against her ex Patrick Mendes over custody of their 3-year-old daughter, Aleesi.
The Brazilian native, 30, wasted no time building her defense. After Patrick, 36, filed for divorce in May and then filed for a default summary disposition on Monday, June 15, Thais retained a powerhouse legal team including immigration attorney Kathleen Martinez and Las Vegas family attorney Carmen Marisol. The timeline matters here: Thais had 21 calendar days under Nevada state law to respond to the divorce filing, and Patrick’s June 15 motion came just 25 days after she was served—leaving little room for error.
In her statement, Martinez was direct:“Let me be clear: Thais has rights, and those rights will be protected. No one should ever be made to feel powerless because of their immigration status, and no one should be bullied into silence.”That framing speaks volumes. This isn’t just about custody arrangements and parenting schedules—it’s about ensuring that Thais’s legal vulnerability as an immigrant isn’t weaponized in a custody dispute. According to Patrick’s filing, their daughter has been splitting her time roughly evenly, spending four to five days weekly with him and three to four days with her mother.
Thais also brought on talent manager Dominique Enchinton, founder and CEO of Dominton Talent House, to round out her support system. In the press release issued Wednesday, June 17, Enchinton emphasized that“Thais deserves the opportunity to live in peace, raise her child, and move forward with dignity.”Family attorney Carmen Marisol echoed that sentiment, stating:“Based on the information currently available, we are confident that the evidence will demonstrate that Thais is a loving, capable, and devoted mother.”
Patrick and Thais first met on season 9 of 90 Day Fiancé before appearing on 90 Day Fiancé: Happily Ever After and season 3 of 90 Day: The Last Resort, which continues airing on TLC. Their on-camera journey has played out under the microscope of reality television, but this custody battle is happening off-screen and in earnest. Her legal team’s stated goal is clear: achieve a fair resolution while prioritizing stability, family, and the best interests of Aleesi.
What unfolds in the Nevada courts could set a precedent for how custody disputes involving immigrants are handled in high-profile cases.
About the Author
Ava Hart
Ava Hart is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.
