Most witnesses who attended the hearing conducted by the House Subcommittee on Labor and Immigration yesterday supported the passage of a measure that seeks to deter fraudulent marriages in the CNMI.
H.B. 13-104, introduced by Rep. Herman T. Palacios, R-Saipan, would penalize individuals guilty of entering into a fraudulent marriage with imprisonment of up to five years and a fine of no less than $2,000. Aliens who entered into sham marriages will also be declared undesirable and would be deported.
The bill was co-sponsored by House Vice Speaker Manuel A. Tenorio, R-Saipan, Reps. Gloria DLC. Cabrera, R-Saipan, Norman S. Palacios, D-Tinian, Benjamin B. Seman, R-Saipan, William S. Torres, R-Saipan, and Daniel O. Quitugua, R-Rota.
Community and Cultural Affairs Secretary Juan L. Babauta said the bill should become a law as fraudulent marriages “undermine the sanctity of matrimony.”
“Marriage is a union that two people who love each other commit to for their entire lives. We want our commonwealth to be a place where businesses that are conducive to the well-being and stability of our people flourish, not a place where sham marriages are a means of undermining the institution of marriage and a means of taking advantage of U.S. citizenship opportunities” Babauta said.
Emi Peter-Palican, special assistant for women’s affairs, recommended increasing the penalty from $2,000 to $5,000.
Individuals entering into sham marriages are reportedly paying up to $20,000 as means of obtaining permanent resident status.
Palican said if they can pay $20,000, “it would be easy for them to pay $5,000.”
Marnetto M. Ayuyu, acting resident director of the community and cultural affairs on Rota, said the bill “is very commendable.”
“It’s about time that the CNMI Legislature enact such a law that will prohibit aliens from becoming permanent residents through fraudulent marriages,” he said.
