agentpeppermint

Interesting story on CNN.com

md95065

So, while it appears that this marriage may well have been fraudulent as far as US immigration law is concerned it does raise a bigger question in my mind - what exactly is it that makes a marriage a "sham" - and who gets to decide?

In fact what the heck is "marriage"?

... discuss ...

Sally Redux

Marriage was traditionally thought far too important to be left to 'romantic love'.

sir_eccles

Some guy behind a desk.

According to my lawyer, USCIS is the only federal agency allowed to be racist, sexist, ageist and every other discriminatory -ist. The fact my wife and I were plus or minus a year in age, both white, both the same religion, friendly country etc etc meant we were either destined to breeze through (as we did) or held up as an example. She gave an example of a client of hers, he was black, she was Asian, big age gap, they had a child together and they were held up as an example and had big problems proving it was a real relationship. So, even having kids doesn't guarantee things.

S Folinsky

Something does not feel right about this. Can't put my finger on it though. Part of it is the timing.

Brit3964

The beginning of a public crackdown? It does seem odd to make an example of this now. Sham marriages are hardly new news.

lifehouse51

She's somewhat of a Celebrity, taking on her case will generate the kind of media attention to deter other people from doing it. It somewhat reminds me of a few years ago when the Los Angeles DA took on the case of Paris Hilton drunk-driving and she got a harsher than usual punishment

another bloody yank

I can tell you this, it's not too often that a girl that looks like that offers a pizza delivery guy money to marry her. I'd have bought lotto tickets.

lifehouse51

Maybe the Pizza Delivery Guy is incredibly hot...and delivers more than expected in bed...who knows? I also doubt that it's a genuine marriage either. I think there will be a certain level of couple profiling when they decide which couples to investigate more for fraud.

chartreuse

Fixed it for ya!

lifehouse51

Oh that's right, I forgot that government officials all are selfless and have the interests of the public in their heart and never do things with hidden personal agenda, silly me!

S Folinsky

Who knows? Also, it is possible to commit criminal fraud in applying based upon a valid marriage. BTW, until very recently, the prosecuting attorney was employed by ICE.

Brit3964

Interesting. The plot thickens!