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AlexSchell comments on Stupid Questions January 2015 - Less Wrong Discussion

8 Post author: Gondolinian 01 January 2015 02:30AM

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Comment author: AlexSchell 04 January 2015 07:21:20AM 0 points [-]

I'd be surprised if fake marriages turned out to be the most cost-effective way to help poor people immigrate to the US, even if you want to focus on refugees specifically.

Comment author: Capla 04 January 2015 08:41:35PM -1 points [-]

Why? What's a marriage cost?

Comment author: AlexSchell 04 January 2015 08:57:21PM 0 points [-]

Time, legal risk, reputation. The opportunity cost is lower if you were going to marry a random/non-specific person anyway, but I'm assuming you're asking about a sham marriage that you're going to end later.

Comment author: Capla 04 January 2015 09:07:32PM -1 points [-]

Time: sure.

Reputation: Actually, I think going above and beyond for a stranger in need is pretty strong signalling of my Altruism, especially among the communities I walk through.

Legal risk: This is what I want to hear about. What legal risks?

I'm assuming you're asking about a sham marriage that you're going to end later.

Maybe, but I don't see any particular reason to get a divorce except 1) the refugee in question wants to marry someone else or 2) so I can go marry another refugee.

Comment author: AlexSchell 04 January 2015 09:29:46PM *  1 point [-]

It looks like marrying specifically for US residency purposes is illegal. This report gives the impression that only a tiny fraction of people actually get prosecuted. You'll have to convincingly lie to a consul and likely undergo some investigation (see e.g. here).

Comment author: Capla 04 January 2015 09:33:29PM -1 points [-]

Thanks. Anywhere else where I can get relevant information?

Comment author: AlexSchell 05 January 2015 03:04:56PM 0 points [-]

I found the links by googling "green card marriage".