It’s The Dating Game on an international level. Who wants to marry a US Citizen?
is a reality TV show to help immigrants find a spouse, and therefore permanent US residency. It hasn’t yet found a network deal.

If the show is picked up, its creators may also be accused of fomenting unethical, if not illegal, activity. Marrying a US citizen for the sole purpose of obtaining a Green Card, which extends residency rights, rather than for love is considered fraudulent by immigration authorities.

This made me think about the INS investigating whether people who marry really love each other. Ha! People get married for all kinds of reasons besides love. Some marry for sex, others for a meal ticket. Some want to “legitimize” their children. Some do it for insurance purposes, for inheritance, or to convince their parents (or themselves) that they aren’t gay. Some just don’t want to grow old alone.

Would citizens who marry other US citizens be able to pass such an investigation? Having sponsored a couple of immigrants myself, I’ve spent some time at the INS, and I’ve met some married folks who are applying for citizenship. Mail order brides? Yes, but who is to say they don’t love each other? Isn’t that an awful lot like dating services or matchmakers? Even if one doesn’t love, the other might. Would that make the marriage "halfway legal?"

The show may be tacky, legally iffy, and/or never get on the air, but I don’t know what gives the INS (or the BCI as its called now) the wisdom to decide what is and what is not a "valid" marriage.