ICA takes tough stance against sham marriages

ICA takes tough stance against sham marriages

Those thinking of abusing the new system will not have it so easy.

The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said it will prosecute errant couples and middlemen involved in marriages of convenience.

Responding to queries from The New Paper, an ICA spokesman said that the Immigration Act was amended in 2012 to enhance the immigration authority's capabilities to stay ahead of the changing strategies of immigration offenders.

He added: "The new law has a specific provision... to criminalise marriages of convenience.

"(Last year), 124 people were convicted for marriages of convenience under the new provision... while another 160 were convicted for false declaration."

He also said that ICA will conduct detailed background assessments and thorough investigations before taking action.

The spokesman added: "The ICA will work closely with the Ministry of Manpower, Ministry of Social and Family Development and the Registry of Marriages to investigate such cases."


This article was first published on October 25, 2014.
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