CT Senate GOP Statement on “Sham Marriages” at CT Town Halls

Sen. Stephen Harding, Sen. Rob Sampson and Sen. Eric Berthel issued the following statement regarding continuing reports of alleged sham marriages occurring in Southington and across Connecticut.

“Clearly this is an ongoing, organized effort to bring non-citizens to marry Americans at town halls and city halls across Connecticut.

More than a year ago, we Senate Republicans noted how these ‘sham marriages’ raise a host of troubling red flags.

Are brides potentially being forced into marriage against their will? It certainly appears that way.

This involves non-citizens and vulnerable young women. This also impacts Connecticut property taxpayers.

Republicans will introduce common sense legislation to address any loopholes in the law that are enabling this to happen. We must look at creating penalties for people that engage in this activity for fraudulent purposes. We must look at empowering local governments to be able to set their own parameters to verify that what’s going on is above board.

Because right now, local officials feel like their hands are tied.

If they see something that looks like fraud or abuse, they must be empowered to say something about it.”