Who Wants to Commit a Crime?
I was always that kid who ruined all the fun. You know the one I’m talking about—the one who remembered that driving drunk could get you killed or that climbing on the roof at midnight might be dangerous. The one who said, “Um…that’s illegal” just when someone came up with a really good plan to have some fun or make some money.
Those issues don’t arise so much in my life these days, so I’d like to thank Adrian Martinez and Morusa Media for once again giving me the opportunity to say, “Um…that’s illegal.”
Martinez is the creator of the as-yet-unsigned-but-already-infamous television show “Who Wants to Marry a U.S. Citizen?” There’s been a lot of fuss and controversy already: does this exploit immigrants? Is Martinez attempting to cash in on the immigration conflict? Does the show’s premise take advantage of desperate people in difficult circumstances?
All valid concerns, but I really just have one thing to say:
Um…that’s illegal.
As you probably know, marrying someone simply to obtain (or confer) U.S. citizenship is a crime. And marriages between U.S. citizens and non-citizens are scrutinized pretty carefully before citizenship is granted—especially when there are red flags like…oh…just for example…WINNING YOUR SPOUSE ON A TELEVISION SHOW.
I’m just guessing, but it seems possible to me that the reason no network has jumped to pick up the program is that network execs are a little hesitant to face criminal charges. Just speculating.
With a little research, the whole thing just gets curiouser and curiouser. A recent press release refers us to a website with the questionable URL “hookacitizen.com”. Though the press release calls this the show’s website, it’s actually just a single page that disclaims a bunch of stuff (apparently, I’m not the first to raise the possible legal issues) and then provides a link for those needing more information about Immigration law.
That link goes to an Alabama law firm.
My first thought was that the concept had somehow been hijacked, but no…”hookacitizen.com” does seem to be registered to Adrian Martinez, the show’s creator—with a California address. So does “immigrantlove.com”, which displays the same single-page disclaimer and link to the same Alabama law firm.
I said “curiouser and curiouser” already, right? I’m beginning to think the real entertainment has nothing to do with the show.
December 7th, 2007 at 4:45 am
Wow, these guys can come up with anything, can’t they? And i thought that Pirate reality TV show was weird. Apologies to anyone who loves it anyhow.
BYE!
p.s. I BADLY want to marry a U.S. citizen. XD
December 7th, 2007 at 3:12 pm
Who Wants To Commit A Crime?…
Attorney Sanders takes a look at an interesting reality show and the legality of the premise in her usual analytical-with-dry-humor way……
December 8th, 2007 at 1:29 am
I can see alot of refugees applying
http://dzrbenson.com/blog/
December 8th, 2007 at 2:44 pm
Umm, marrying a US Citizen does not give you citizenship, only residency… look it up…
December 8th, 2007 at 3:08 pm
Mart, that’s true…however, if you’ve done YOUR homework, then you’re well aware that legal permanant residence is a prerequisite to applying for citizenship.
December 8th, 2007 at 4:09 pm
That is true, Tiffany - but my comment was in response to “marrying someone simply to obtain (or confer) U.S. citizenship is a crime.” Now, I’m not a lawyer, but how do you marry someone to confer citizenship, if marriage doesn’t confer citizenship?
December 8th, 2007 at 5:24 pm
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December 9th, 2007 at 3:32 am
I am not sure if it is a crime, but it certainly won’t fool the INS. If they can prove that an immigrant married with the only purpose of gaining a visa or green card, (and what else is needed to prove it than by watching the TV show?) the visa or green card will be denied. I don’t think there is any other punishment for it, so it cannot be considered a “crime”. But it certainly isn’t proper.
December 10th, 2007 at 3:01 am
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December 10th, 2007 at 4:16 pm
To be fair, the show is not called “Who Wants to Marry a U.S. Citizen and Therefore Achieve American Citizenship.” It’s merely who wants to marry an American. Hell, it could be a real dating show, full of love, honor and matrimony. Probably not, though.
Just wanted to point out the subtlety in the title, and how it’s technically NOT illegal. It’s about as legal as any other dating show that ends in matrimony.
December 10th, 2007 at 4:38 pm
MarcDom7, you’re right that the show’s title does not guarantee citizenship. But, if you check out their website at http://www.hookacitizen.com, you’ll notice that the video clip they provide includes text that reads “one will win and get to stay in the country,” followed by text that reads, “two will probably be deported.”
True, this does not explicitly indicate that the show’s winner will marry a United States citizen and therefore get on the path to legal residency. But it’s pretty suggestive–there is no indication that the winner will “get to stay in the country” for a reason other than marrying a U.S. citizen.
December 11th, 2007 at 9:10 am
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December 16th, 2007 at 2:09 pm
[...] out there stupid enough to think this is a great idea. This article at AttorneyFind.com, entitled Who Wants to Commit a Crime?, explains why this show will not get made. I’ll give you a quick synopsis: it’s [...]
December 21st, 2007 at 5:02 am
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June 28th, 2008 at 3:49 am
Our Sheriff (joe Arpaio) is a Nazi
July 1st, 2008 at 3:50 pm
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July 5th, 2008 at 3:09 am
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August 6th, 2008 at 1:06 pm
Wow!
September 6th, 2008 at 12:14 am
Great Article
September 6th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
The INS and immigration, all part of th e’public service’ sector.
October 15th, 2008 at 8:01 pm
I could see this rule being violated excessively.
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March 25th, 2009 at 5:02 pm
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May 1st, 2009 at 9:58 pm
I’m not surprised that no-one wants to pick up this show. Even in the world of reality TV there are just some things that shouldn’t be done….this is one of them