Immigration Crackdowns, Green Cards, and the Path to Citizenship with Attorney Gary Singh

This week’s spotlight is on immigration, with expert insights from Honolulu immigration attorney Gary Singh. With over 25 years of experience handling immigration, criminal, and family law, Gary breaks down key issues affecting our clients, families, and community. Below are short video segments and highlights from our full podcast conversation. These clips are especially valuable for attorneys representing non-citizen clients and for anyone concerned about ICE enforcement, green card eligibility, or naturalization timelines.

How to Marry and Become a U.S. Citizen in 5 Years 

Gary breaks down a real-life case of a woman from the Philippines who marries a U.S. citizen, earns her green card, and successfully naturalizes within five years. This topic struck a major chord—it became the #1 performing video on the A-1 Bail Bonds YouTube page. Due to overwhelming interest, we added follow-up clips offering more detail on the process, key deadlines, and legal strategy that made it all possible. The next best performing video has to do with the commonly joked about “Fake Marriage Hustle” for citizenship.

How Long Must a Fake Marriage Last? The Timeline to U.S. Citizenship

In the segment above, we break down how long it can take for someone to go from a green card to U.S. citizenship through a “Fake Marriage.” The timeline is surprisingly short—typically around 4 to 7 years—to get citizenship and then petition for family members to enter the country. 

Not all arrests lead to deportation—but some do. Gary explains what happens when green card holders are charged or convicted of crimes, including DUI and domestic violence. He also clarifies the re-entry process and risks of being detained at the airport.

In this clip, we break down what lawful permanent residents need to understand before traveling internationally. If you’ve ever been convicted of a crime — even something minor — you should be prepared for extended screening and delays during re-entry. And if you’ve had a felony conviction, it may be extremely risky to travel abroad at all. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers have the authority to refer returning residents to secondary inspection, and if a prior conviction makes them inadmissible, they may be detained and placed in removal proceedings.

Jewelry Scam on Kauai: Why ICE Got Involved 

A group of Romanian nationals was recently arrested on Kauai in connection with a fake gold jewelry scam targeting elderly residents. Gary helps us understand why ICE took the lead on this case, how fraud operations like this often work, and what this means for individuals who may already have criminal records. We also talk about how law enforcement is stepping up to protect our kupuna from these traveling crime rings.

ICE Arrests at Schools, Churches, & Hospitals? 

Amid growing concern, Gary clarifies that although recent federal policy changes technically allow ICE access to sensitive locations, there are no documented cases in Hawaii of arrests occurring at schools or hospitals. Some activists have sounded the alarm about these possibilities, but so far, the claims appear to outpace actual enforcement. We examine the fine line between advocacy and fear-based messaging—and why facts matter when serving immigrant communities.

Whether you’re a legal professional advising non-citizen clients or someone navigating the system yourself, Mr. Singh delivers clarity on enforcement, strategy, and how to stay safe and smart. Hope y’all enjoy the podcast!

Naturalized and Authentic,

-Got Bail Nick.