Many people are under the illusion that a sham marriage to a US citizen is an easy and quick way to immigrate to the US. In reality, the dangers of such a marriage not done in good faith are great and significant.

Specifically:

• When a person claims a green card after a recent marriage to a US citizen (i.e. a marriage that took place within the last two years), the green card to which the alien is entitled is temporary, “conditional”, and expires automatically after two years from the date of issuance. As long as the marriage is still in existence, the alien can apply for a permanent green card 90 days before the expiry of the temporary card. Along with the application, he or she must attach evidence that a genuine marriage relationship exists between the spouses, and immigration services may call the spouses for an interview or make further inquiries, such as asking neighbors if the couple lives together, etc.
• Americans who are willing to marry for money are as a rule untrustworthy people to be trusted with something so risky. That is, the American citizen may want to divorce in the future so that he or she can remarry, may blackmail the foreigner for more money, or may, if cornered, confess the whole enterprise to the American authorities.
• US law provides for a penalty of up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for anyone who knowingly marries with the intention of obtaining immigration benefits in the US by deceiving US authorities. Each year, over 100 such cases are sent to the prosecutor – and usually the US citizen makes a deal with the authorities to become a witness at the alien’s trial in exchange for his or her own immunity from any criminal prosecution.
• Even if the alien who participated in a white marriage is not prosecuted, U.S. immigration law provides for a lifetime ban on the entry of persons who participated in sham marriages with the intent to defraud the U.S. government.

Conclusion – if you want to immigrate to the US through marriage, do it the right way!