Introduction
The idea of marrying someone just for a green card has been around for decades. The concept is not new, but with time, it has gained more prominence due to changes in immigration policies and the increasing number of people struggling to obtain permanent residency in the United States. This article seeks to explore the possibility of marrying someone for a green card and the implications involved.
What Is a Green Card?
Green card, also known as permanent resident card, is an official document issued by the United States immigration authorities that permits non-US citizens to permanently reside and work in the country. The card gives the holder the legal right to live and work in the United States as a permanent resident, which means that they are not US citizens but can enjoy some of the privileges available to US citizens.
Green card holders can work for any US employer without restrictions and can freely travel outside of the country. They can also apply to become US citizens after a certain number of years have elapsed.
Why Do People Want a Green Card?
There are many reasons why people want to obtain a green card. For some, it is a means of escaping from instability and insecurity in their home countries. For others, it is an opportunity to provide a better life for themselves and their families. Some people apply for a green card to explore new opportunities, study, or work in the United States.
Whatever the reason, obtaining a green card is not an easy process. The procedure involves several rigorous stages, including submitting applications, attending interviews, and providing evidence of eligibility. Depending on the circumstances, the process may take years to complete.
Can You Marry Someone Just For a Green Card?
Technically, the answer is yes. US immigration laws permit non-US citizens to obtain a green card through marriage. If a US citizen marries a non-US citizen, the non-US citizen has the right to apply for a green card. The process involves submitting an application, attending an interview, and providing evidence of eligibility.
However, marrying someone for the purpose of obtaining a green card is considered fraud, which is a federal offense punishable by imprisonment, fines, and deportation. It is illegal to marry someone solely for the purpose of obtaining immigration benefits. Such an arrangement is referred to as a sham marriage.
A sham marriage is any marriage entered into for the sole purpose of circumventing US immigration laws. It is illegal to enter into a sham marriage to obtain a green card, and anyone caught doing so may face serious legal consequences.
What Are the Implications of Marrying for a Green Card?
Apart from the legal implications, entering into a sham marriage can affect the individuals involved in many other ways. The following section explores some of the potential consequences of marrying for a green card.
Legal Implications
Entering into a sham marriage is a violation of US immigration laws, and anyone caught doing so may face serious legal consequences. The punishment for committing immigration fraud can include imprisonment, fines, and deportation.
Immigration authorities take cases of sham marriage very seriously and investigate them thoroughly. They look for evidence to prove that the marriage was genuine and entered into for love, rather than for immigration purposes.
As part of their investigation, immigration authorities may interview the couple, investigate their backgrounds, and scrutinize their paperwork. They can also subpoena the couple’s friends and family members to testify in court.
If the authorities find evidence of fraud, they may deny the green card application or revoke an already issued green card. They may also initiate deportation proceedings against the non-US citizen involved in the sham marriage.
Relationship Implications
Marriage is a sacred union between two people who love and respect each other. Entering into a sham marriage for immigration purposes can have severe consequences on the couple’s relationship.
The main reason why a sham marriage is harmful to a relationship is that the couple is not in it for love. They are only using each other to obtain immigration benefits. This can cause resentment, mistrust, and discomfort between the partners, leading to emotional turmoil and stress.
Moreover, if the immigration authorities find out about the sham marriage, it can cause immense stress and pressure on both partners. The couple may be called in for interviews, investigations, and interrogations, further straining their relationship.
Social Implications
Entering into a sham marriage can also have social implications. People may view the partners involved in such a marriage with suspicion and skepticism, which can affect their social standing and reputation.
The stigma associated with sham marriages can also result in social isolation, which can lead to depression, anxiety, and other mental health problems.
Moreover, if the authorities discover the sham marriage and initiate deportation proceedings, it can cause immense social upheaval for both partners, leading to dislocation, trauma, and distress.
Financial Implications
Entering into a sham marriage can also have financial implications, as both partners may have to spend a considerable amount of money to make the marriage appear genuine.
For example, they may have to spend money on arranging a lavish wedding, hiring an attorney, or employing a fake matchmaker to introduce them to their partner. These costs can add up significantly, putting a strain on both partners’ finances.
Moreover, if the authorities find out about the sham marriage, the non-US citizen involved may be required to repay any benefits they received, including healthcare, welfare, and housing assistance. This can further burden their finances, causing long-term financial instability.
Proving the Authenticity of a Marriage
Proving the authenticity of a marriage is crucial when applying for a green card through marriage. US immigration authorities take sham marriages very seriously and investigate them thoroughly to ensure that all marriages entered into for immigration purposes are genuine.
To prove that a marriage is genuine, the couple should provide documentation that shows they have a genuine relationship. The documentation may include:
– Joint bank account statements
– Joint lease agreements
– Jointly filed tax returns
– Utility bill receipts addressed to both partners
– Wedding photographs
– Letters and cards addressed to each other
– Affidavits from friends and family members confirming that the marriage is genuine.
It is important to provide as much evidence as possible to prove the authenticity of a marriage. The immigration authorities may request additional documentation or evidence during the investigation process.
Moreover, the couple should attend the interview together and answer questions truthfully. They should be prepared to explain how they met, how their relationship developed, and their future plans together.
Conclusion
Obtaining a green card through marriage can be a legitimate and worthwhile process if the marriage is genuine. However, marrying someone solely for the purpose of obtaining a green card is illegal, and anyone caught doing so may face severe legal consequences.
Moreover, entering into a sham marriage can have severe implications on the individual’s relationship, social status, finances, and mental health. It is crucial to consider these implications before entering into a sham marriage.
To avoid complications, individuals seeking a green card through marriage should ensure that they have a genuine relationship with their partner and provide as much evidence as possible to prove the authenticity of the marriage.
The precepts behind American immigration law cover some significant aspects of the human condition. One of these all-important happenings considered to be a milestone event is the institution of marriage. While marriage customs may be slightly to wildly different relative to where the ceremony is held, there are provisions within the guidelines of the United States that allow for full recognition as a result of immigration. Marriage laws in the United States are fundamentally tied to the trappings of American immigration law when they come to a spousal or fiancé(e) relationship.
In order for the blissfully wedded couple to live a happy life together as U.S. residents, they both need to submit to American standards upon immigration; marriage laws surrounding parties of mixed nationality have only gotten more stringent with time. In popular media, a person’s acquisition of a green card is often portrayed as a consequence of marriage to an American citizen. Despite the derisive applications of the green card, the U.S. government is quite serious about individuals to whom it is issues permanent residency.
Before an alien becomes a true American, immigration law must run its due course. One thing that consular officials who review a person’s file consider is the viability of the marriage. Knowing full well that people will form a partnership in the guise of marriage for the express purpose of trying to obtain a green card, American immigration law officials will look for evidence of a bona fide marital relationship.
Usually, the presence of witnesses at a wedding ceremony or some tangible proof of cohabitation such as jointly filed paperwork will help the cause of the applicants. It is preferable if there is strong evidence this was a long-term relationship prior to the process of immigration.
It is also a bit presumptuous of anyone expecting that a true marriage will automatically garner permanent residency upon completion of immigration. Marriage laws dictate that, as a condition of American immigration law, before the applicant can claim a green card for their personal identification, they must undergo a period of conditional residence and have indicated an intent to do so on their marriage visa application.
Following the two years of conditional residence, the applicant must re-apply for the purpose of extending the length of their residency and must go on another interview with an officer on behalf of U.S. immigration; marriage laws, once more, dictate that there must be continued evidence of a marital relationship. Once more, tangible proof of lawful cohabitation, such as signed affidavits from family, friends and other associates, must be offered.
