Marriage Green Card Priced at $400,000 – Chinese Citizens Tempted but Hesitant

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently announced a sudden policy change, stating that deportation proceedings will be initiated against individuals without legal status who are applying for green cards through marriage or family relationships. The policy takes immediate effect, shocking immigrant communities. In Southern California, where many Chinese reside, some admit they have considered "marriage-for-green-card" arrangements due to financial pressure but worry that the new policy may make "sham marriages" more trouble than they’re worth, potentially leading to federal investigations and severe penalties.

The new policy authorizes USCIS to initiate deportation at any stage of the family-based immigration process for those lacking legal status. It applies not only to spouses but also to those applying through other family members, such as children, parents, or siblings. USCIS emphasized in a statement that family petitions "do not grant status or protection from deportation," aiming to strengthen scrutiny, combat fraud, and protect national security and the integrity of the immigration system. Statistics show that in the first half of 2025, nearly 520,000 I-130 family-based petitions were filed nationwide, but as of June, over 2.4 million remain pending, with more than 1.9 million waiting for over six months.

In Southern California, some openly admit that while "marriage green cards" are controversial, they are an option worth considering under financial strain. Ms. Qin, a Los Angeles resident, shared that a male friend originally from mainland China recently offered her $400,000 to marry him for a green card. Having immigrated to the U.S. as a child and now working in education with an outstanding mortgage, she admitted, "I was tempted because it’s a large sum, but he expects the marriage to last at least 8 to 10 years, requiring us to attend interviews, submit proof of cohabitation, and even fake a family life. That’s too much pressure for me."

She added that while they have been friends for years and trust each other, the potential legal risks made her hesitate. "Friends advised me not to risk my status and future for short-term relief."

Mr. Bai, who grew up in Orange County, said he has no status issues but knows many friends seeking marriage-based green cards. He admitted that if the other party has talents, cultural exchange value, or life skills, he wouldn’t reject a marriage of convenience. "I don’t need money, but I believe cooperative marriages can also develop feelings and bring rewards—just have to be careful."

Meanwhile, 40-year-old Mr. Kang, divorced five years ago and struggling with child support and mortgage payments, once met a woman willing to pay $100,000 for a green-card marriage, with divorce possible after three years. "I thought about helping out, but the risks are high. One misstep, and she could be deported while I face legal trouble."

Elora Mukherjee, director of Columbia Law School’s Immigrants’ Rights Clinic, noted that under current law, if USCIS deems a marriage "frivolous, fake, or unreasonable," not only could the applicant lose residency, but the U.S. citizen spouse might also face perjury and fraud charges. Mukherjee warned, "This new Trump administration policy is an expansion of power. Strict enforcement could create a chilling effect, deterring even legitimate families from applying."