What if someone gets married for their green card?

[Fem2009]

Where is everybody?? 

What if someone gets married only for the purpose of their residency status? Then they divorce?

[fanuvmxpx]

I'd say they had no intention of being married and used a legal loophole to stay in the country.

[Fem2009]

How do you view this, as a Christian?

[mamabear38601]

It's a lie and a mockery of the union of marriage which was instituted by God. If they divorce, the person should be deported.

[chosenone]

The trouble is how can anyone actually PROVE it. They may stya married for a year or two or more and so many normal divorces happen after this time now that they could claim that there were other reasons for their divorce.
It happens in the UK all the time when people marry to get their British passport and so they can live in the UK. I am not sure what can be done to stop it.

[Mac]

It's a lie and a mockery of the union of marriage which was instituted by God. If they divorce, the person should be deported.

Absolutely 100% correct. This person would have basically sold themselves for a green card.

The trouble is how can anyone actually PROVE it. They may stya married for a year or two or more and so many normal divorces happen after this time now that they could claim that there were other reasons for their divorce.
It happens in the UK all the time when people marry to get their British passport and so they can live in the UK. I am not sure what can be done to stop it.

Yes, they could do that. However, it really doesn't matter from a Christian stand point. You know.. The Lord knows... If a person marries someone for a greencard/citizenship issue, they have basically prostituted themselves out.

Now, if the person doing this marries and stays married, well, they did it the right way I guess. Maybe through prayer and the Lord's intervention, the marriage could become something special.

[Fem2009]

It's a lie and a mockery of the union of marriage which was instituted by God. If they divorce, the person should be deported.

Absolutely 100% correct. This person would have basically sold themselves for a green card.

The trouble is how can anyone actually PROVE it. They may stya married for a year or two or more and so many normal divorces happen after this time now that they could claim that there were other reasons for their divorce.
It happens in the UK all the time when people marry to get their British passport and so they can live in the UK. I am not sure what can be done to stop it.

Yes, they could do that. However, it really doesn't matter from a Christian stand point. You know.. The Lord knows... If a person marries someone for a greencard/citizenship issue, they have basically prostituted themselves out.

Now, if the person doing this marries and stays married, well, they did it the right way I guess. Maybe through prayer and the Lord's intervention, the marriage could become something special.

So, they're prostitutes?

Not arguing when I say:
But how could they be guilty of divorce if the marriage was fake in the first place? Wouldn't it have to be a true promise to the Lord?
Ok, I get that they're LYING to the priest that marries them. That's one sin.
So, many people do this these days. Just bc alot of people do something, doesn't makes it right. But wouldn't you consider the fact that God knows they are helping someone better their life?

Also that they haven't truly made a covenant in their hearts? How is that mockery?
There are very few ways to get a green card. Marrying someone, being sponsored, winning a special lottery, having over a certain amount of money and being able to start a business in this country or refugee status. Don't you think God knows that these people have a difficult choice? Wouldn't he want them to have a better life, especially for believers?

Remember God is forgiving, we're taught to be this way too. Those are serious questions not rhetorical ones.

God Bless

[Mac]

So, they're prostitutes?

Figuratively. Not literally. They gave of themselves for something/favors in return. Money or gifts or green cards, etc...

Although the argument could be made... literally.

But how could they be guilty of divorce if the marriage was fake in the first place? Wouldn't it have to be a true promise to the Lord?

It is real in the eyes of the law of the land. Therefore, it is real in the eyes of God. Holy matrimony is just that. Holy. The reason why divorce rates are so high is because people do not respect the sanctity of marriage or the vow they made to GOD. It wasn't a joke to God.

Was the marriage consummated? I would bet it was. No, it is real.

Ok, I get that they're LYING to the priest that marries them. That's one sin.
So, many people do this these days. Just bc alot of people do something, doesn't makes it right. But wouldn't you consider the fact that God knows they are helping someone better their life?

No, I do not think it matters. A better life that is.

Besides, who is the offending party. The person who is legal or the one trying to become legal? Who set this in motion. Do both parties know that this was the reason for marriage? If so, the only person harmed was God. God created marriage. It is Holy. To think so little of it is shameful.

Only one lie huh? You need to rethink that...

Also that they haven't truly made a covenant in their hearts? How is that mockery?

I know you do not believe that. If this marriage happened in a church, you mocked God. The priest was deceived... Crossing your fingers really doesn't work...

A lie is a lie. Deceit is deceit.

I can promise you one thing, had the pastor, priest, etc.. known this, they would NOT have married these people. So, yes... It must matter to someone..

There are very few ways to get a green card. Marrying someone, being sponsored, winning a special lottery, having over a certain amount of money and being able to start a business in this country or refugee status.

Do it the right way. It may take time, but it can be done. Happens every day. My step brother is a federal prosecuter dealing with immigration.. Well versed in these things.

Don't you think God knows that these people have a difficult choice? Wouldn't he want them to have a better life, especially for believers?

Yes, I am sure He does. Just as well as He knew Stephen, who was stoned for Christ. Or John, who was beheaded. Or Peter, who was crucified upside down.. Or Matthew, Mark, Luke... All of these people were killed for their faith in Christ. Some how. Some way.  They all had difficult choices to make... But because we have a difficult choice to make, it does not excuse lying and other deceit. In fact it hurts our witness for the Lord. Willfully lying is not acceptable. Maybe this person should put faith in the Lord to do what His will is. Maybe it is not in His will for a person to be here. Maybe they can do more good where they are.

Remember God is forgiving, we're taught to be this way too. Those are serious questions not rhetorical ones.
God Bless

Yes. You are right. But we are also told not to willfully commit sin. We are told not to lie. In fact, I believe it is one of the commandments... Do not steal... That's another commandment..

We, as Christians, are to confront sin with another believer. Not turn a blind eye.

The thing that bothers me the most is, people will try to excuse sin if it means getting what they need or want. It really is pitiful.

I hope if you have some input into this, I hope you will tell them to have faith in the Lord. Lying and cheating does not honor the Lord. Infact, it hurts...

[phoebe]

...
It happens in the UK all the time when people marry to get their British passport and so they can live in the UK. ...

I can't for the life of me understand why anyone would want to do that. 

[Fem2009]

So, they're prostitutes?

Figuratively. Not literally. They gave of themselves for something/favors in return. Money or gifts or green cards, etc...

Although the argument could be made... literally.

But how could they be guilty of divorce if the marriage was fake in the first place? Wouldn't it have to be a true promise to the Lord?

It is real in the eyes of the law of the land. Therefore, it is real in the eyes of God. Holy matrimony is just that. Holy. The reason why divorce rates are so high is because people do not respect the sanctity of marriage or the vow they made to GOD. It wasn't a joke to God.

Was the marriage consummated? I would bet it was. No, it is real.

Ok, I get that they're LYING to the priest that marries them. That's one sin.
So, many people do this these days. Just bc alot of people do something, doesn't makes it right. But wouldn't you consider the fact that God knows they are helping someone better their life?

No, I do not think it matters. A better life that is.

Besides, who is the offending party. The person who is legal or the one trying to become legal? Who set this in motion. Do both parties know that this was the reason for marriage? If so, the only person harmed was God. God created marriage. It is Holy. To think so little of it is shameful.

Only one lie huh? You need to rethink that...

Also that they haven't truly made a covenant in their hearts? How is that mockery?

I know you do not believe that. If this marriage happened in a church, you mocked God. The priest was deceived... Crossing your fingers really doesn't work...

A lie is a lie. Deceit is deceit.

I can promise you one thing, had the pastor, priest, etc.. known this, they would NOT have married these people. So, yes... It must matter to someone..

There are very few ways to get a green card. Marrying someone, being sponsored, winning a special lottery, having over a certain amount of money and being able to start a business in this country or refugee status.

Do it the right way. It may take time, but it can be done. Happens every day. My step brother is a federal prosecuter dealing with immigration.. Well versed in these things.

Don't you think God knows that these people have a difficult choice? Wouldn't he want them to have a better life, especially for believers?

Yes, I am sure He does. Just as well as He knew Stephen, who was stoned for Christ. Or John, who was beheaded. Or Peter, who was crucified upside down.. Or Matthew, Mark, Luke... All of these people were killed for their faith in Christ. Some how. Some way.  They all had difficult choices to make... But because we have a difficult choice to make, it does not excuse lying and other deceit. In fact it hurts our witness for the Lord. Willfully lying is not acceptable. Maybe this person should put faith in the Lord to do what His will is. Maybe it is not in His will for a person to be here. Maybe they can do more good where they are.

Remember God is forgiving, we're taught to be this way too. Those are serious questions not rhetorical ones.
God Bless

Yes. You are right. But we are also told not to willfully commit sin. We are told not to lie. In fact, I believe it is one of the commandments... Do not steal... That's another commandment..

We, as Christians, are to confront sin with another believer. Not turn a blind eye.

The thing that bothers me the most is, people will try to excuse sin if it means getting what they need or want. It really is pitiful.

I hope if you have some input into this, I hope you will tell them to have faith in the Lord. Lying and cheating does not honor the Lord. Infact, it hurts...

Thanks Mac. I've seen people who have been paid to marry someone. However, I've seen many more examples where the person does it out of the kindness of their heart. Not for gifts.

I agree with your reasoning on the mockery part.

Then your step brother should know how difficult (if not impossible) it is to get it the other ways. I know many immigrants.
I wouldn't consider it cheating. They are going up against a man made institution.

I do agree that it is a lie and mockery of God. Hopefully I'll be able to state this and mention repenting without sounding like I'm being judgmental.

[fanuvmxpx]

But wouldn't you consider the fact that God knows they are helping someone better their life?

Does He? There is a legal way to enter this Country. I believe God wants us to abide by the laws of the land (as long as they don't contradict His Word).

[Fem2009]

But wouldn't you consider the fact that God knows they are helping someone better their life?

Does He? There is a legal way to enter this Country. I believe God wants us to abide by the laws of the land (as long as they don't contradict His Word).

Because of your hypocrisy and lying about me in the "physical attraction" thread, please be aware that I will no longer be communicating with you. Yes, I am ignoring you. I don't know what your problem is, but it's not my job to fix it.

God Bless

[Mac]

Then your step brother should know how difficult (if not impossible) it is to get it the other ways. I know many immigrants.

It really isn't that hard. And it certainly isn't impossible. Now, if a person coming here has no education, no means to hold a job and will live off of the system, or is a criminal then yes, it can be a little more difficult. If not impossible.

There are reasons to doing it the right way though. The system is designed to assist people doing it the right way. Yes, it make time... But, in the end, it pays off..

People enter this country legally everyday. People who want to become a citizen will find a way... But if you chose to do it the wrong way, your chances are completely 0% if you are caught trying to defraud the country in some way.

My advice to anyone in this position would be to seek help from their embassy. Apply for a work visa... Then once here, go for the green card. But, like I said, if they are a criminal or become one doing it illegally, they can forget about it.

On a personal note... I am all for people coming here the right way. Let them all come. But do it legally. Because I do not agree with them breaking the law to get here does not make me hateful or a racist. This is my country. I love it. I want them to love it too. But when they do it illegally, it defrauds every one of us who are citizens.. And worse, they really do an injustice to the ones who came here the right way.

We have enough criminals in this country. Anyone trying to come here legally can and will make it as long as they are not criminals. Eventually.

I wouldn't consider it cheating. They are going up against a man made institution.

You wouldn't consider what cheating?

[fanuvmxpx]

Because of your hypocrisy and lying about me in the "physical attraction" thread, please be aware that I will no longer be communicating with you. Yes, I am ignoring you. I don't know what your problem is, but it's not my job to fix it.

Fem, were you perhaps verbally abused in your past? I have not said anything in an insulting or emotional manner in my exchanges with you. I do apologize that you feel so offended by me. =(

[Fem2009]