What's a Little Marriage Fraud Between Amigos?

“It’s unfair,” Josefa says. “You go your whole life, you’re working with the system and pay taxes. You try to be the best citizen you can be, but to have a stupid clause fuck it over, it’s unfair.”

She admits she’s afraid of getting caught. “But we’re putting our faith on the fact it will work out—it has to,” she says.

Doug Boehm

Doug Boehm

Related Content

• Feds Offer Immigrants Tips in Garden Grove Today
  September 8, 2011
• Mitt Romney Abandoned for Newt Gingrich by Hispanic Leaders including OC's Miguel Orozco
  January 27, 2012
• Deaf Immigrants Apply for Asylum, Claiming Persecution; Barbara Coe Hand-Signs Middle Finger to Them
  September 29, 2011
• Letters From OC Weekly Readers
  July 22, 2010
• Some Salvadorans Here Can Breathe a (Temporary) Sigh of Relief
  July 9, 2010

More About

• Martha Flores
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
• Thom Mrozek
• Immigration
• Weddings

Like this Story?

Sign up for the Weekly Newsletter: Our weekly feature stories, movie reviews, calendar picks and more - minus the newsprint and sent directly to your inbox.

Privacy Policy Cancel Continue

“If I don’t do this now, I don’t know how long I can do this,” Jose says. “I can’t live a double life anymore.”

The banda sinaloense returns from its break. “I like this song—let’s dance,” Josefa tells Jose. Her fake-gold engagement ring sparkles as they enter the hall and rush toward the stage. They hold each other, coordinate their steps and join the dance-floor swirl.

garellano@ocweekly.com

This article appeared in print as "Make a Run for the Altar: With immigration reform stalled, some young, assimilated illegal immigrants are entering sham marriages with a little help from their friends."