By Moneth G. Deposa
Variety News Staff

SOME nonresident workers are paying $5,000 each for marrying local residents so they can “upgrade” their immigration status in the CNMI, according to Vice Speaker Justo S. Quitugua, D-Saipan.
He said he has been receiving complaints regarding fraudulent marriage.
“They get married but are not actually living together — it’s just for the purpose of obtaining the (immediate relative) permit,” Quitugua said.
He said this issue should be addressed locally in light of renewed efforts in the U.S. Congress to federalize local immigration law.
“We need to add more teeth to our existing statute against fraudulent marriages,” Quitugua said. “There’s a need to enlighten our locals and the nonresident workers about what awaits them if they are found engaging in this activity.”
Quitugua said he will introduce legislation to amend Public Law 13-49 which penalizes fraudulent marriages.
He said his House Bill 15-224 will impose a fine of $5,000 and five years imprisonment on violators.
Once an alien spouse gains immediate relative, or IR, status or receives permanent residency, he or she can engage in business, seek employment normally offered only to non-aliens, or remain in the CNMI unemployed “with no repercussions of being deported based on his/her immigration status,” the bill stated.
“The existing law, although it states that the activity is illegal…is hard to enforce because specific provisions are needed for its effective implementation,” Quitugua said. “My bill will clearly address this problem.”
Although he has no available statistics regarding the issue, Quitugua said he is convinced that the number of fixed and fraudulent marriages are increasing.
He said local residents should realize that “entering into this activity means putting their assets and property at risk because their partner may demand an equal share or part of their belongings once they file for separation or divorce.”
Local wives and husbands are also responsible for the lives of their nonresident partners while in the CNMI, the vice speaker said.
He said his bill will authorize the immigration division to conduct investigations and impose additional requirements on couples.
Quitugua said currently, the nonresident “husband” or “wife” is the one submitting the renewal of their IR permits.
“Now, they will both be asked to appear at the immigration division where an interview will also take place,” he said, adding that he’s hoping that his colleagues will support the passage of the bill next week.