Although illegal, marriage contracts are commonly entered into by those who desire to immigrate to North America but do not readily meet the immigration requirements. In such a contract, an agreement is made between two parties. The agreement is usually verbal, based on trust and involves either a financial transaction or a trade of some sort, such as two friends marrying each other's siblings.

Not all of those with difficulty meeting the immigration requirements are able
to find a willing partner to enter into a marriage contract. This leaves those desperate to immigrate willing to take drastic measures, and this can lead to the infamous marriage sham. I am referring to the type of marriage sham whereby someone enters into marriage with ulterior motives and has no intention of remaining in the marriage or honouring the marital vows. In this case, the spouse is innocent and unaware of the intention or purpose of the marriage.

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