Two Chicago-area residents have been indicted for allegedly trying to secure U.S. citizenship for foreign nationals through sham marriages to Americans, some of which occurred in Las Vegas.
The U.S. Attorney's office in Chicago alleges that clients paid up to $15,000 for marriages to Americans recruited by Terestia Zarrabian of Des Plaines and Michael Smith of Bellwood. Zarrabian is an immigration consultant.
The 60-year-old Zarrabian and 41-year-old Smith were charged after an undercover agent posed as a U.S. citizen willing to enter a phony marriage. Both have pleaded not guilty.
The pseudo couples were allegedly advised how to answer immigration officials' questions to convince them the marriages were legitimate.
A message left for Zarrabian's attorney wasn't immediately returned Monday. There was no answer at a phone number for Smith's attorney.
Thursday, May 16 2013 9:49 PM EDT2013-05-17 01:49:53 GMT
Mayor Emanuel will celebrate two years in office by unveiling "Elevate Chicago" on Thursday, a series of construction projects to improve Navy Pier and McCormick Place.
Mayor Emanuel will celebrate two years in office by unveiling "Elevate Chicago" on Thursday, a series of construction projects to improve Navy Pier and McCormick Place.
Monday, February 25 2013 1:41 PM EST2013-02-25 18:41:37 GMT
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
Monday, May 20 2013 8:33 PM EDT2013-05-21 00:33:23 GMT
A Merrillville police officer shot a man Monday afternoon when the two got into a fight in the parking lot of the Merrillville Planned Parenthood office.
A Merrillville police officer shot a man Monday afternoon when the two got into a fight in the parking lot of the Merrillville Planned Parenthood office.
Monday, May 20 2013 5:52 PM EDT2013-05-20 21:52:14 GMT
Gov. Pat Quinn said Illinois lawmakers have a chance to make history on two fronts this month by approving a plan to fix the state's decades-old pension crisis and legalizing same-sex marriage.
Gov. Pat Quinn said Illinois lawmakers have a chance to make history on two fronts this month by approving a plan to fix the state's decades-old pension crisis and legalizing same-sex marriage.
