November 13, 2003
If one marriage of convenience is not enough, try 27 of them:
A woman who was accused of accepting money to marry 27 illegal immigrants so they could get residency and work permits pleaded guilty Wednesday to one count of filing a false instrument.
This lends an entirely new definition to the term "marrying for money." She never took the time (or expense) to divorce any of them either.
Prosecutors said Cortes received 27 marriage licences between 1984 and 2002 so she could marry men from Ecuador, the Dominican Republic, Peru, Pakistan, Colombia, Mexico and a few other countries.
The authorities obviously know who these men are from the marriage licenses. If their residency was granted based on a sham marriage, should they not be revoked?
She never divorced or lived with any of the men, prosecutors said.
There are millions of people who desire to live in the United States. It is frustrating that those coming through illegal means are permitted to stay while so few of those who follow the legal immigration route are admitted.
