U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has issued a warning regarding a California public school teacher, Laura Pinho, who suggested that her marriage to a man from Gaza was intended to help him obtain U.S. citizenship. USCIS spokesman Zach Kahler stated that individuals involved in fraudulent marriages should expect to be discovered and prosecuted. Pinho, a dance teacher and activist with CODEPINK, made comments during a June webinar indicating that her marriage was partly motivated by a desire to assist a Palestinian man. Federal law stipulates that marriage fraud can result in up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Pinho married Salem S.E. Abu Amra on April 5 in Utah, which allows remote marriage ceremonies. She previously organized a GoFundMe campaign for Abu Amra, presenting him as the primary provider for his family in Gaza. Abu Amra has been associated with social media posts that praise Palestinian militants, although Pinho denies any connection to Hamas. Following scrutiny of her statements, Pinho claimed that her marriage was based on love, not immigration motives.
Concerns about her comments have prompted legal experts to suggest that her acknowledgment of a marriage for immigration purposes could lead to federal scrutiny. Pinho has been active in pro-Palestinian movements and has faced criticism for her views and social media posts. USCIS has indicated that if the marriage is found to be fraudulent, they will pursue prosecution.