In class, we discussed how today’s immigrants differed significantly from old immigrants who came mainly from eastern Europe and Italy in the early 1900s. But what was an interesting topic regarding a small minority of today’s immigrants is that they will do anything to get a green card for the United States. Some are so desperate that they resort to conducting marriage fraud. This topic was particularly interesting because I have heard stories about this fake marriage arrangement between people in China, usually women, and American men. There was even a news scandal a few years back when a Chinese father and daughter ran a business in California arranging these marriages and charging exorbitant amounts of money on the Chinese and promising to pay a fee to the American. It’s fascinating to see how people are able to turn anything into a business and take advantage of people’s complex situations. I see how these businesses can benefit both parties in a marriage, with one person getting the green card he/she wants and the other person getting paid. But, understanding how the whole process works and from the discussion in class, these supposedly married couples have to go through rigorous investigation and interviews to prove that their marriage is legitimate. But is it really worth it on the part of the American to go through with all this just to get some money that could be attained through other means? It especially wouldn’t be worth it if they’re caught by the government. The consequences seem to weigh much heavier than the gains the American would have achieved if they are able to successfully prove their marriage. In some instances, the marriage between an American man and Chinese women is legitimate and so the American would try to sponsor the wife into getting a green card. However, others might question the women’s true intentions in marrying the American. Nevertheless, marriage fraud still happens today with people trying to enter the US from various countries around the world.
Something else we mentioned in class with regards to today’s immigrants in comparison to old immigrants is that today’s immigrants are more educated and wealthy than their counterparts a hundred years ago. This can be attributed to a phenomenon called the “brain drain” which was mentioned in Foner’s From Ellis Island to JFK: New York’s Two Great Waves of Immigration. There are people in other countries, usually in countries that are not as democratic or well off as our nation, who have college degrees or are skilled in some way, but don’t have jobs that match their intellect. Whether their countries lack these opportunities or whether it’s due to their political or economic structure, they aren’t able to thrive there so they come to the United States knowing they’d be able to find the jobs that fit their education and skills. I know that some people welcome these kinds of immigrants while some are hostile to them, and for understandable reasons. Some appreciate the work they do and the contributions they make to our nation. Others believe that they are taking away the potential jobs from native born Americans. Either way, I find it fascinating how no matter what country they come from they all face this similar situation and most of them come to America looking for these opportunities. It just further supports how America is a land of opportunities and freedom.
Hi Amanda! I really enjoyed reading your blog post. In regards to people faking marriages in order to get a green card, I find it to be a rather unlawful thing to do in most circumstances where people are engaging in this practice to make a profit. I can’t believe that there was a Chinese family running a business arranging marriages like this in California. I haven’t heard of this story before; did it happen recently? However, I do believe that there are certain situations where arranging these fake marriages is an acceptable practice. I have known many people who were in a relationship, but were about to be separated because one of them could not obtain a green card to remain in the United States. Although they were not necessarily ready to get married, they did so anyway in order for them to continue their relationship. I think that this situation is a case where stretching the law via marriage is acceptable, especially since it is so difficult to obtain a green card.
Hey Annmarie! The news scandal that I mentioned was from 2015 according to the article that I included in my blog post. So it wasn’t too long ago. In regards to couples who really are in relationships but have to be separated because one of them can’t obtain a green card, I agree that they should be an exception to this marriage fraud law. It’s unfortunate that some people who really are genuine in their intentions are sometimes not believed by authorities. But understandably, it isn’t the easiest thing trying to detect who is telling the truth and who isn’t.
Amanda, I think you made a really interesting point about the affects such fraudulent marriages have on the American sponsoring an immigrant. Often times, the focus is on the dangers of coming into America as an immigrant under such illegitimate claims, and doing all that one can to find a better life. The fact that the American citizens who are involved in these “business deals” are willing to risk their own freedoms in their home country is puzzling, even if it is in return for money. There are countless ways people can make money in the U.S. that do not require any illegal actions or a tedious process to make the illicit marriage appear valid.
I also feel that the fact that people are willing to exploit immigrants who are stuck in such situations in order to make a personal profit, is quite immoral. I never knew that this type of a “business” existed but it seems unfair that the person organizing the marriage is coming away with a hefty profit without taking any of the same personal risks of the involved parties. Both the immigrant and the American sponsor are giving up a lot in order to make some personal gain, but the middleman is just getting paid to connect those people and he is abusing that role by cheating both parties – charging the immigrant more and paying the sponsor less.
I found interesting the point you made about the so called “brain drain”. No matter your view on immigration the fact that people want to move here shows the greatness of our country. I think this also has to do with our discussion about the meaning of the phrase “only in America”. The fact that people associate America with a better life and better opportunities is something a lot native born Americans take for granted.