Oregon’s First Lady admitted to marrying an 18-year-old Ethiopian immigrant 17 years ago so he could retain residency in the United States.
Oregon’s First Lady admitted to marrying an 18-year-old Ethiopian immigrant 17 years ago so he could retain residency in the United States.
Hayes met Abraham B. Abraham through mutual acquaintances when they both were living in Washington State; the two married in July 1997 when Abraham was 18 and Hayes was 29.
“This was a difficult and unstable period in my life,” Hayes said. “I was struggling to put myself through college and was offered money in exchange for marrying a young person who had a chance to get a college degree himself if he were able to remain in the United States.”
Read more at Statesman Journal
