Green Card Marriages

Some people marry for love, some marry for money and others for their right to stay in the United States, a Green Card.

After a United States passport, a Green Card or Permanent Resident Card is without a doubt one of the most sought after and valuable documents in the world.

But how common are the Green Card petitions scams? These scams were very common up until the events of September 11, 2001, when Citizenship & Immigration Services (CIS) formerly known as INS changed the regulations.

Thirteen years ago, Tony who could not be identified by his real name, a Washington Heights resident paid Maria, a Puerto Rican born co-worker, $3000 to marry him. They attended the adjustment of status interview (the green card interview); arrived on time, kept their facts straight and in the blink of an eye Tony received his Permanent Resident card. There was no follow up and no questions asked, "It was as easy as 1,2,3! Well plus $3000 dollars, but it was definitely worth it, now I am a citizen and the rest is history," said Tony who didn't even see Maria until 10 years later so that they could divorce.

Not everyone is as lucky as Tony; Gertrude from the Dominican Republic, who's identity will also remain pricate, also paid $3000 to a neighbor 14 years ago and was given two chances.

"The first interview he screwed up the month of when I bought the couches for my apartment, I had given him a copy of the receipts and he still messed up" said Gertrude. She explained that the first interview was at an embassy in Montreal, Canada, as she was a Canadian resident. The second interview was in Mexico.

"They had us traveling from country to country and in Mexico they determined that we were not really married and fined me $1000 for traveling without a visa," she added, "it was horrible, so much money and time down the drain." Gertrude's father, who is a naturalized American citizen, then petitioned for her and after a 10 year wait she received her green card.

The "get a quick green card" marriage scam is not as easy since CIS has limited green card issuance. Even if an immigrant is married to a U.S. citizen, if the marriage is less than two years old at the time the green card issuance takes place CIS will only grant the immigrant a two year green card. This makes getting a Green Card difficult even for people who are married for love. Carolina, from the Upper East Side can attest to that. "I married in 2001 and about a year and three months later received my interview date. I received my temporary resident card in the mail about a week later and 3 months before it expired my husband and I completed a petition for a permanent green