Legal Definitions - green-card marriage

A green-card marriage is a term used to describe a marriage entered into primarily for the purpose of allowing one spouse, who is not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, to obtain immigration benefits, such as a "green card" (which grants permanent residency in the United States). The key characteristic of a green-card marriage is that the primary motivation for the union is immigration status rather than a genuine marital relationship based on love, commitment, and shared life. Such marriages are considered fraudulent under U.S. immigration law if the couple does not intend to establish a bona fide marital life together.

• Example 1: A U.S. citizen, Mark, agrees to marry Elena, a non-citizen, after she offers him a significant sum of money. They plan to go through the legal marriage ceremony and immigration interviews, but they have no intention of living together, sharing finances, or building a life as a married couple. Their agreement is solely for Elena to gain permanent residency.

  This illustrates a green-card marriage because the sole purpose of their union is for Elena to gain permanent residency through Mark's citizenship, facilitated by a financial exchange, rather than a genuine marital bond.

• Example 2: David, a U.S. citizen, and Sarah, a non-citizen, are acquaintances. Sarah's temporary visa is expiring, and she is desperate to stay in the U.S. David agrees to marry her as a favor, knowing they will maintain separate residences and lives, only presenting themselves as a couple for immigration purposes, such as interviews or paperwork.

  This is a green-card marriage because, despite the legal ceremony, David and Sarah do not intend to form a genuine marital relationship. Their marriage is a means for Sarah to obtain a green card, making immigration the primary, if not sole, motivation.

• Example 3: Maria, a non-citizen, is facing deportation. Her cousin introduces her to a U.S. citizen, Robert, who is willing to marry her to help her stay in the country. While no money exchanges hands, Maria and Robert have no romantic feelings or plans for a shared future; their agreement is purely to satisfy immigration requirements and prevent Maria's removal from the U.S.

  This scenario exemplifies a green-card marriage because the union between Maria and Robert lacks the fundamental intent of a genuine marital relationship. Its sole purpose is to provide Maria with a pathway to legal residency, highlighting the immigration-driven nature of the marriage.