Posted on 04/17/2008 9:08:22 AM PDT by OBXWanderer
NORFOLK
Federal authorities have combed through eight states since early Wednesday morning, arresting suspects in a sweeping investigation into fraudulent marriages between Navy sailors and illegal immigrants.
Three indictments unsealed Wednesday afternoon charge 33 people - current and former sailors and their brides. Thirteen defendants appeared in U.S. District Court as federal agents searched seven other states for the remaining suspects.
"Each of you is charged with a serious offense," U.S. Magistrate James E. Bradberry told five of the women standing before him.
"This is not something you can afford to take lightly, because your freedom will be at stake," he said.
Federal authorities have been targeting bogus marriages and Navy housing fraud for at least two years, having already arrested at least 40 other individuals here and in New York.
This is the largest one-time sweep, and Navy officials said they hope this puts an end to the practice. More than 73 people have been arrested so far, with dozens convicted, jailed or deported.
"There are specific approved procedures to obtain citizenship in our country. Cheating is not one of them," U.S. Attorney Chuck Rosenberg said in a statement scheduled to be released this morning and obtained by The Virginian-Pilot on Wednesday.
(Excerpt) Read more at hamptonroads.com ...
I do not have a gold digger.
Why does it turn out to be an odd number?
I knew a some single people when I was in the Army who got married to their friends just so they could move out of the barracks, and get some more cash in their pockets. It’s a system and they worked it.
LOL. I was wondering the same.
One was a bigamist.
When you reward a behavior you will get more of it. When you tax or punish a behavior you will get less of it. It's something any kid who ever housebroke a puppy could tell you, but something the federal government has been as of yet, unable to figure out.
One did it twice?
“There are specific approved procedures to obtain citizenship in our country. Cheating is not one of them,” U.S. Attorney Chuck Rosenberg said.
Perhaps we could get Mr. Rosenberg to explain that to John McCain.
*There is one less bride because one woman became a cooperating witness for the government.
The government should not view these marriages as sham marriages. They should insist that the marriages are real and force the parties to sleep together forever.
How did the ladies arrive here illegally?
Perhaps they did not arrive illegally...I would assume most of them are on expired K-1s...aka fiance visa.
The article states: “The court papers say the marriages were never consummated.” So they were not sleeping together anyway.
I’m not sure about that. As long as they got married while here on a visa, it would be fine. The visa only lapses if the marriage doesn’t happen within the time frame.
“most women are gold diggers. so arent the majority of marriages a sham.”
LOL. That’s like saying most men are abusers. Absurd and unfounded.
bump
East Coast resort aeas bring in hundreds of Eastern European college students to work in shops, restaurants, super-markets, hotels, etc. for the Summer. Around here they return at end of Summer. A few have married locals, one I know of got into a nearby college/
there are insufficient citizens available to fill jobs
Yep. I have talked to our company accountant many times about this, and we agree the whole tax system is set up for the government to not control, but to seriously urge certain behaviors from us the taxpayers. It is a welfare system.
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