Should I call ICE About My Roommate's Sham Marriage?

[Umka36 781]

There are actually quite a few countries you would think would have an official language but don't. I thought UK and Japan had one, but they actually don't have one.

English is the common spoken/written language in the US, and it only makes sense. Imagine if we had every spoken/written language used on your road signs. It would not only be very expensive, but very impractical.

[howtosurvive 43]

until you walk a mile in a person's shoes don't judge. its easier to look from the outside in but on the inside lies the truth. how will that benefit you by reporting her? what do u have to gain? will it speed up your process? is she paying the guy? even if u tell ice she don t love the guy what proof do you have? love is subjective so u have no case! more people need to mind there business and leave others a lone! why don't you talk to her and tell her its morally incorrect because that is not fraud! and again its her ex husband so they have history! quite frankly what you are going to report will not make sense and ice gets paid by tax payers and I would hate for my tax dollars to be spent investigating morals over crimes!

[Avery Cates 1,141]

No sympathy for the devil. Buy the ticket, take the ride.

Report it.

[ManCharsey 254]

You have to be careful in your reportage of such issues. The problem with government matters is that you need proof to substantiate a claim else you waste time and draw unnecessary attention to yourself especially when the person counterclaims that such a report was made for reasons such as - Jealousy by an ex-partner etc. Such counterclaims make you look bad if you are not careful so I would suggest the following -

(a) If you do not have evidence to substantiate your claim (word of mouth claims are usually not the best and I know this from experience) then just forget about it and if you don't feel comfortable living with her. Just move out. As the saying goes, give a dog enough rope and they will hang themselves. some day it will catch up with her.

(b) If you have enough evidence to substantiate your claim, then you can go ahead and report her.

The discretion though is at your disposal! Happy New year!

[thedude6752000 360]

OP: AS I stated before, if you have proof then submit that and report her. If you currently have no proof then get some and then report her. DO not waste the USCIS' time by reporting her without physical proof. The last thing you want to get into is a "she said", "he said" with her--get undeniable physical proof. If she remarries her ex I am sure the USCIS will question her at length, but you never know. Get proof and then report her.

Dave

What physical proof could I possibly get, besides tape recording her? She said they might not move back in together, that seems proof enough.

[TBoneTX 45,288]

What physical proof could I possibly get, besides tape recording her? She said they might not move back in together, that seems proof enough.

Posting as a regular member here.

Every participant and reader of the current thread should also read this one, as was recommended earlier:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/439326-reporting-fraud-to-uscis/

OP, set an InfoPass with the FDNS officer at the nearest USCIS office.

Tell him what you know, focusing on facts. Tell him that ICE blew you off.

Bring him what you have (at minimum, a letter of attestation to the facts as you know them).

Ask what other specific information he needs to open a file, and how best to get it.

Your conscience will be clearer, because you know in your heart what's right. In addition, because you're a VJ member, you're aware of the Terms of Service item that prohibits this: Condone or instruct, either directly or indirectly, others on how to commit fraudulent or illegal immigration activities in any way, shape, manner or method.

[Misha'sgirl 44]

What physical proof could I possibly get, besides tape recording her? She said they might not move back in together, that seems proof enough.

Some county clerks will not issue a certified marriage license unless you are living together. Doesn't she need the marriage license in order to keep getting benefits?

[TBoneTX 45,288]

One post removed for adding nothing to the thread.

[Hn&Ma 5]

(response to removed quoted comment also removed - VJ Moderation) Seriously wasn't it this OP who filed a petition for his wife and came here on VJ barely a few days/weeks later (I don't know how to search for posts here) asking people to sign a petition or asking how can we sue the Govt or how can we protest and everyone here calmed him down asking him to take a chill pill and to take things easy. He has had other posts too about various things often times it makes me shake my head in astonishment (personal).

VJ is a lovely site and everyone here is willing to help and give their own point of view. Some have said "report her" giving reasons for that while others have said "let her be if you don't have any claim/proof" giving reasons for that too. Everyone here has made a point from their own angle yet the OP keeps this dramatics on and on.

Word of advice to the OP, you have had ample answers from both sides on this issue for almost 48hrs. So please do what you need to do and let's move on in helping people who love their families and spouses and miss them badly reunite legally at the right/their own time. Peace and Happy New Year and miss my baby.

Edited January 3, 2014 by Kathryn41
to remove quote already removed and edit response to removed material

[Misha'sgirl 44]

My roommate came to this country unlawfully from El Salvador many years ago but has been granted tempororary status thanks to Obama's DACA program. Despite this she is in immigration proceedings due to her chronic non-filing of necessary paperwork and due to the fact that she has been arrested several times for driving without a driver's license and insurance. In order to get out of this she is about to marry her US citizen ex-husband, even though she does not love him anymore, lives separately from him, and has told me many times that this is just for immigration. Should I report her?

On the one hand anyone who knows me will know I am vehemently opposed to illegal immigration (my wife's I-130 is "in processing" right now and nothing ticks me off more than seeing people didn't follow the rules get everything we're fighting so hard for), but on the other hand she has kids and even grandkids here (long story, she's not that old, but her 17 year old son already has two kids out of wedlock). I really want to report her, but I am afraid I will feel guilty. What should I do?

You say she drives without license and insurance. In the State of Virginia (Which I'm assuming that is where you are), it is a criminal offense to drive without a license. Explained here: http://vincenzeslaw.com/fairfax-traffic-lawyer-fairfax-county-reckless-driving/driving-without-a-license-in-virginia/ So, what you need to do to gather information to report her is, a criminal record. Fill this out: https://apps.vsp.virginia.gov/catspublic/public/publicHome.html It costs $15.00 to send it. Here is the full website where I found the form so that you can check it out for yourself: http://www.vsp.state.va.us/CJIS_Criminal_Record_Check.shtm Driving without insurance is not a criminal offense, but it certainly puts others at risk when one drives without insurance. I would write a statement that you know for a fact she does not have insurance when she drives. Get it notiorized.

Don't lie, bend the truth or purposefully cause something to happen that would help your report. Just report the facts you know. When they see you have gathered her criminal record...which might contain more than driving without a license (even better!), then I believe you will have a good start. Like many have said, this can take awhile. I've never reported someone who is illegal. But I have used other auxilaries and it always takes awhile to build any type of case.

I also mentioned before that it might not be possible for her and her ex to remarry because they would need a new certified marriage license and some states do not issue them unless you are living and have been living for a while with your intended spouse. I went ahead and quickly looked it up, but since every country clerk office has different rules, it might not be correct. I looked it up for Arlington county. It does not appear that they have that rule, however, it does say that if you were married before and now divorced, you must show the divorce decree. Also, you need some kind of identification like a license (which she does not have) or valid passport... You can show that her benefits are about to expire and show the date on their marriage license and the fact that they were divorced and now remarrying. It'll deffinately look like she is only remarrying SO QUICKLY because she wants to stay in the USA. Also, the license must be used within 60 days of the issue date, or it will become expired and useless to her. And if they do get a clergy to perform the ceremony to concrete their license, there is still a way to prove the marriage and license is invalid. If the clergy does not have an active congregation, then it is illegal for him to perform the marriage and if he does, then its basically like asking Grandma to do it because its invalid. The clergy has to have proof of his active congregation and Certificate of Ordination and identification. If not, again, its invalid.

Can you show proof that she IS or will MOST DEFFINATELY become a public charge?

I also have a few questions for you, as I've contemplated your situation for the past 48hrs. I'm wondering why she would tell you, almost consol you, that this remarriage is only for gaining benefits, not because she loves him. I do not mean to assume or even remotely accuse you of having any relation with this woman other than, she is your roommate. However, it seems odd that she would tell you that, knowing you could and even most likely would, report her.

Then I think, what if she only told you because 1. She thought you would feel sorry for her because you know she has kids/grandkids. 2. She was drunk or high 3. You are a trusted friend of hers and she truly would never expect you to report her.

I don't mean to step over the line: I only contemplate situations thoroughly. I do hope everything I have suggest for you to do, actually helps you to report her. No matter what is going on with you, her, her family, SHE IS ILLEGALLY ABIDING IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Please, report her.

Oh and I also would be careful about *tape recording* her, because that could be considered illegal...reference this link: http://www.dmlp.org/book/export/html/1246 There is a section specified for Virginia's wiretapping laws. Scroll....

Just want to make sure that you gather the correct evidence, the correct way.

[thedude6752000 360]

She told me because she is a mess and relies upon me quite a bit. Right now I have $200 of her in my pocket because she does not have a bank account and does not trust herself to keep the money. I have gone out of my way to help everyone in my house (FYI I live in a house with 8 other people, I rent two rooms in it) so that I will be well liked in my house. I don't mind, my natural tendency is to help anyone who asks for it if it's at possible to do so. In addition to holding my roommate's money for her I have also helped her to get a cleaning job in the building I work in and have helped her with her tires on her car quite a few times (to take other examples, I have gotten 3 of my roommates onto the wireless network here, helped another speed up his internet browsing, printed up resumes for another, given another numerous rides because he does not have a car, and I have helped another who's son only speak German (which I speak) to get a German-English dictionary and apply for a job here). I almost that my unlwaful immigrant friend, though, takes advantage of my help, such as constantly giving me her money to hold onto. Anyway that's how I learned of this, she does trust me a lot.

[thedude6752000 360]

Also on my roommate, she had a license and insurance but they both expired due to her chronic carelessness. She renewed the insurance and I think she is trying to renew her license (it's hard for her though because she has no legal docs other than the DACA forms and she lost her I-797 for it, so she sent off to the USCIS and was shocked, shocked I tell you, to find that it will take 3 months to get it back from them). She is driving with the insurance but without a valid license I think.

[canusa920 11]

Totally report her, people who are doing it the honest way are being screwed with long waits and strict laws because of people like her.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Actually, if she doesn't have a valid license then her insurance isn't going to cover her if she gets into an accident. She has negated one of the requirements of using insurance - that she is legally allowed to drive - and without a license, she isn't.

We have had a number of situations here on Visa Journey where 'someone' (unknown to the member involved) has informed immigration authorities (either in the US or abroad) that a relationship was suspect, and USCIS has gone to some lengths to verify the legitimacy of the relationship, including surprise 'home visits'.

I would definitely follow through on reporting your roommate's situation. You will never know if 'they' have taken action or not - and she will never know, if something happens, that you might have been involved - but your report may just add enough additional suspicion to an already suspicious case that ensures they will take a closer look at her paperwork - if she ever gets it filed (geeze - they have given her every opportunity and she still neglects her status?) - and schedule her for one of those 'surprise' home visits while adjudicating her green card petition.

I don't see this as a matter of someone being bitter about delays with their own petition taking it out on someone else. I see this as a matter of someone who understands the importance of the immigration process and what is does, and ensuring that another individual - who has every opportunity and benefit to do things the right way and is choosing not to - is held up to the same standard he and everyone else going the legal route, is required to meet.

For those who say 'leave it up to God', may I remind you that in Matthew 22:15-22, Mark 12: 13-17 and Luke 20:20-26, the Bible clearly states: "Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's" (Ἀπόδοτε οὖν τὰ Καίσαρος Καίσαρι καὶ τὰ τοῦ Θεοῦ τῷ Θεῷ .

Immigration, falling under the laws of the US government, clearly belong to 'Caesar'.

Edited January 3, 2014 by Kathryn41

[dwheels76 5,468]

It is your obligation as a US citizen to report all crimes. I don't care nor does the government care about all this frilly fofo nonsense. You asked for advice and guidance you got it. Report it. Its simple.

To those who say "mind your business", it is his business because someone has just reported to him a crime they are getting ready to commit. You complain "why is USCIS, NVC, the embassy so F'd up", this is why so many wrongs sure don't make a right.

To those who don't get her telling her "business". I am in Houston, Texas and I am amazed at the candor and gall of people who when they found out I was petitioning a foreigner would tell their past or current story of getting PAID to get someone a green card. Fake marriages everything all kinds of countries involved Peru, Brazil, Nigeria, UK.

People boasting. No laughing how stupid our government is. And how stuoid we as petitioners are to fall in line and OBEY the laws. They talk of how easy it is to come here and disappear get a SS#, a new name, whatever they want. Falsify a work history to get that job YOU been trained and have experience on (A very big pet peeve of mine).

So if she isn't stopped than what. You really think this scenario is isolated? Really? There are thousands of this mess going on and we as citizens and soon to be citizens ourselves turn a blind eye because "well she isn't hurting you". The hell she isn't.

Honestly you got all you need to make the right decision OP. It's up to you.