New Britain herald., 1928-12-14
MARRY ID OU7WIT
 IMMIGRATION LAW
Companionah Unions Reported
 Frequent in Cuba

 has cracked the United States immi- grafton wall and marriages between American citizens and alien women have become an important Cuban industry.
 As the immigration law is now interpreted. citizens of the United States may wed on Cuban soil and, after a residence of Is days. apply for permission to enter their wives into the United States. Many of these marriages are not made with any intention of fraud on the part of husband or wife but they are frequently aimed against the Amer ican immigration restrictions.
 The marriage ceremony. in these eases. is legitimate enough but in reality . farce intended to force le- gal entry of the wife into the United States. There are instances where this form of matrimony is the cul- imitation of q romance started i1 Europe. The husband attained American citizenship and made home for his bride only to find the immigration door barred against her.
 Usually the method for beating the insenigration law is effected by the man sending the woman passage money from her home 10 Cuba. Ht then arrenges in Cuba with respon. sible parties acceptable to the c lbal authorities for her reception ant care. The prospective bridegroom takes matters up with the state de. partment and then comes to Cuba armed with conclusive proofs of his status, From then on ii is smooth sailing and loving couples are often seen sitting in the parks ot Havana waiting patiently for the day when they may be permitted to make the Journey north. Should no provi- sion be made for the woman's recep- tion in Cuba she is detained here until the man she is going to marry is communicated with or arrives.
 There is another method of get ting sweethearts or wives into the United States without entanglement in tho maze of immigration laws. This Is done through farce marriages between United States citizens and the women desiring legal entrance into tho States. In the first place the marriage of an American citizen already on Cuban soil is a different matter If he wishes to wed the alien woman.
 He must stand an investigation by the United States consulate. If his citizenship is found correct his name 10 placed in the rlgstry of American citizens and the marriage may take place but he must show lack of fraud or intent to commit fraud be- fore permission for marriage ii granted.
 Many abuses. how many will never be known, have been committed in connection with international mar riages despite the care and trouble taken by consulates to stop them It is rumored in Havana that as high aS $1,00O has been paid Americans to contract such marriages, to take the woman to the United States there to leave her until she secures . divorce or drops out of her hus- bands life.
 Let an interruptions American drop | hint here and there about foreign cafes or restaurants that he is "matrimonially inclined" and an alien agent is sure to hunt him ur and make an offer. In the ma jority of cases the bridegroom will re- ceive $500 and maintenance in a ho. tel during the 15-days wait The money will be handed him with hi. steamship tickets for authorization of himself and wife.
 It is almost impossible to obtain evidence of fraud in such cases al. though eopsular agents arc alert