Many people are in the United States in an undocumented capacity.
They may have filed applications years ago, which have long since been denied. Some may have also received deportation orders and have stayed on. They find it impossible to leave. Such people look to marriage to a United States citizen as a solution to their immigration problem. Although marriage to a United States citizen could often be the only option, they must be aware that a sham or a convenience marriage should never be entertained.