“We can channel the investigation to the Attorney General’s Office and have the white collar crime division assist, together with U.S. Immigration so we can all work together,” he added.
He said he asked Saipan Mayor Donald G. Flores to be “cautious when performing marriages.”
Camacho said he asked the mayor’s office if it can submit all marriage applications so the council can review them.
He said the council wants to work with the mayor “so we can do it correctly.”
“I respect the mayor,” he added. “But we have to investigate. I’m reviewing information right now,” he said, referring to an elderly resident who wanted to get married to a young Chinese.
He said the minute the couple left the mayor’s office they went their separate ways.
“Because of the IR status, that’s what they are after so they can have business and all these things,” Camacho added.
He said officials who perform marriage should be more cautious.
“I am not saying they are not doing their job, I am just raising the caution flag because some [nonresidents] are eager to stay and want to justify their stay through marriage,” he said.
In a separate interview, Flores said he finds no problem with Camacho’s suggestion.
“I will welcome it if he can make arrangements to interview the marriage applicants,” the mayor said.
Flores said Camacho should take part in the investigation.
As for the office of the mayor, he said they will follow the regulation sand will continue to process marriage applications if they comply with the requirements.
The basic requirements include the submission of an original affidavit of marital status, an original copy of birth certificates, a certified true copy of a U.S. passport or any legal documents to affirm the applicants’ real names, age, citizenship, permanent and present residence.
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