Sham marriages

Evidently the number of Freely Associated States IR’s seeking to improve their status through each respective FAS government (Kosrae, Pohnpei, Chuuk, Yap, Republic of Palau and Marshall Islands) has fallen from over 300 IR’s to about 50 or less, a clear indication that many of these individuals had knowingly and falsely obtained their IR status by getting into marriages they knew were fraudulent from the start. Many probably now realize that legitimizing what started out as a lie several years ago would be difficult at this stage so they have stopped trying and are seeking other avenues by which to legitimize their stay for at least two more years.

Meanwhile, the island governments are probably going to be sympathetic to their sons or daughters coming to them pleading for assistance with their foreign spouses, if they come to them with legitimate claims. But those coming to them with fraudulent claims are going to find the going uphill all the way.

Here’s how these sham marriages work: the betrothed would meet at the Mayor’s Office where a quick ceremony would take place and then they would part ways soon after that and, like the hands on the clock, would meet once every 12. Once every 12 months, that is, at Immigration Office where they would renew the IR permit after a quick exchange of money. And then they would part ways again, only to meet once again after 12 months. Love, of course, was never in the equation of these marriages, thus not even a quickie between husband and wife at any time during the marriage.

Meanwhile, in many cases, the foreign spouse would be living with his/her spouse, working at a job that should rightfully go to a U.S. citizen/resident, and raising children. In short, living a lie and complaining about his/her plight about being here in the Commonwealth, even marching to show how bad life is becoming in the CNMI.

Remember the underaged girl who complained about being trafficked to the CNMI? This underaged girl entered the CNMI with a valid passport issued by her own government stating that she was of legal age. We wonder if someone held a gun to her head as she went from agency to the next in her home country to lie about her age in order to get a passport stating she was of age in order to get here to work in a bar. If someone did hold a gun to her head and that someone was from the CNMI, then we have something to be ashamed of. Wonder we do indeed.

The scenario of sham marriages involving FAS citizens also holds true for many who “married” U.S. and permanent residents. Many foreign workers married U.S. citizens and permanent residents for the sole purpose of prolonging their stay here. This scenario would have worked wonderfully if it were not for federalization. Now in order to stay here legally for more than two years, they would need to file for green cards. Good luck if your so-called marriage has been a sham.

U.S. and permanent resident IR’s looking to file for green cards should know that several individuals have already been convicted of falsification and of fraud by the U.S. Government.

So be afraid. Be very afraid.