A jury is expected to be chosen today in the federal trial of a Mexican actress-model and a Los Angeles pizza delivery man charged with committing marriage fraud so the woman could remain in the country permanently.

Maria Fernanda Romero Martinez, 28, of Westwood — who uses the stage name Fernanda Romero — and Kent Ross, also 28, of Park La Brea, are charged in a seven-count indictment with marriage fraud, fraud and misuse of visas, permits and other documents, and false or fraudulent statements.

Popular Mexican Actress Accused of Marriage Fraud

Romero paid Ross $5,000 to marry her in 2005 in order to become a U.S. resident, but the two never lived together, according to the indictment.

Thom Mrozek, spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, said the investigation began after a jilted ex-boyfriend, fashion photographer Markus Klinko, told immigration officials that Romero’s marriage was a sham.

Romero has appeared in television shows and movies, including alongside Jessica Alba in “The Eye” in 2008 and in the Mexican soap opera “Eternamente Tuya” (“Forever Yours”). She has also hosted the Univision Spanish-language reality show “Control.”

Ross was described in the criminal complaint filed in April in U.S. District Court in downtown Los Angeles as a musician and employee of a pizza delivery company.

The misuse of visas and permits charges stem from the time shortly after Romero and Ross were married, when she filed an application for adjustment of status, otherwise known as

an application for a green card, claiming that she had entered into a lawful marriage with Ross, Mrozek said.

In support of that application, Romero and Ross filed several documents allegedly containing false statements, such as claims that they lived at the same address, which was never the case, prosecutors allege.

Romero also filed documents allegedly containing false statements regarding how long she had resided in the United States.

“This actor should have realized that posing as a bride for immigration purposes could land her a role in a real-life crime drama,” said Miguel Unzueta of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

“Immigration benefit fraud is a serious crime,” the ICE official said. “Not only does it potentially rob deserving immigrants of benefits they rightfully deserve, it also undermines the integrity of our nation’s legal immigration system.”

If convicted of all charges, Romero faces a maximum of 25 years in federal prison, while Ross would face 20 years behind bars, Mrozek said. Both have been released on bond.

Trial is expected to last about seven days, according to court papers.

Source: http://www.dailybreeze.com/ci_15877132

Because of the high rates of undocumented entry into the country, Immigration marriage laws are much tougher now. Any application for a green card through marriage is often well checked to prove the intent of the applicant. It is assumed that the union is for the purpose of obtaining permanent residence. It is then left to the couple to prove the authorities wrong.

The application process starts with the submission of documents sponsored by the partner who holds U.S citizenship.  The USCIS then sends a letter to the couple clearly stating the documents they are required to bring to the interview, the date, place and time of interview are also stated. On the interview date the couple has to convince the interviewing officer that the marriage is genuine and not for the purpose of obtaining a visa. The officer also uses discretion to determine the character of the partner who needs the green card. If the interviewing officer is not satisfied, the couple might be required to be present at a second interview, a new feature of the current immigration marriage laws.

The second interview is a far more serious one than the first. The couple is interviewed separately on the details of their marriage. The answers from both partners have to match to a large extent in order to convince the interviewing officer of the sincerity of their marriage. The questions at this second interview could include the most intimate details of their private lives.

If the officer is convinced that the purpose of the marriage was to obtain a green card, the partner applying to receive the permit runs the risk of being permanently excluded from receiving one. This is in addition to being arrested and subsequently deported.  Because of this risk it is advisable to attend the interview with an attorney who specializes in immigration marriage laws.

Immigration marriage laws hold so much appeal to the intending immigrant because it is one of the fastest routes to obtaining a visa. Immigrants on a temporary visa can have their status adjusted to that of permanent resident in as little as two months under current immigration marriage laws.

Here is an overview of the process of obtaining a green card under immigration marriage laws.

•    Sending of complete application to USCIS
•    Acknowledgement of applications with receipts
•    Issuance of notice for biometrics appointment
•    Biometrics appointment
•    Work authorization approval
•    Advance parole approval
•    Notice for interview request issued
•    Interview for adjustment of status
•    Approval of permanent residency.
•    Receipt of green card.

For couples that have one or both partners living outside the United States, the process takes more time and is more tedious. If the marriage has not already taken place it would be better for alien partner to apply for a fiancé visa (k-1). It would also be a good idea to employ the services of an attorney who specializes in immigration marriage law.