If polygamy is illegal in the U.S., how are people practicing?

Question

I have noticed that there are quite a few people in the U.S. looking for a second wife. How do they get away with this?

p.s. I am not interested in being a second wife, I am just wondering how people in the U.S. are able to practice polygamy.

Answer 1

Salam Aleykum!

If they marry in the mosque which is the way it should be, then there is no trace in the official papers that they are married. It is this easy. But when the man decides to marry one of his wives "officially" then it will be legal to the us laws but well, which wife? :-s

Other:
Polygamy is allowed in Islam but not recommended. I only know about one case in my country and it was because of fertility problems (so the reason was not to make a harem!!). I just wanted to point out that some people (non-muslims) think muslims marry four woman and then the gruppen sex begin, AstagfiruAllah, of course no! It is not about sex! :)

Answer 2

because they live out in the country away from the cops and away from anyone who could find them and report them. And they cut off communication with people who object. I know because I was interviewed to be a second wife. I lost contact with the family though. Oh, also, they tell everyone els that the second wife is just the live in maid or the nanny or something. And they might even tell the kids that until they're old enough to figure it out. There's leagal loop holes too. But I don't know what those are.

Answer 3

Just dont get married legally. There are lots of couples that call themselves married even though they never got the license and the signature from a minister or justice. Just as gay couples call themselves married even thoug it is not a legally recognized union. Living with a person - or persons - is not illegal as long as everyone is of age. Whos to know they just aren't roommates?

Answer 4

I think the general feeling is that it's not worth prosecuting. In the case of some of the larger communities in Utah, etc., I think for one, they don't know where they'd put them all; and second, where would that leave the families? It's really sad when it's so blatant - and much of it so abusive - that we can't find a way to enforce the law.

Answer 5

I believe it is as simple as they aren't "officially married" in the eyes of the government. Like they cant get more than 1 marriage license without a divorce.

So they are married " off the books" like a concubine.

Or at least that is how I understand it to be

Answer 6

Many do it serially: divorce the first one, even though she stays close, then marry the second. Then divorce the second, even though she stays close, and marry the third.

Some just have one wife and one or more mistresses. It's usually considered a plural marriage if the mistress lives with them and shares openly in the relationship.

Answer 7

Yes, they may be breaking the law by looking for and living in a polygamist lifestyle, but is the crime really that serious? Would you rather them chase a man down and throw him in jail for being involved with two women, or would you rather them focus on the true crimes like rape, theft, murder? I suppose that it's all in how you look at it, isn't it?

Answer 8

Utah's state and local government's protect their Mormon constituents despite Federal laws. That State and indeed our own Federal government has become a system where Judeo-Christian spiritual rites are respected despite logic or civic laws.

Answer 9

Salam Alaykum!
Because they marry the person in their country or a country where it is legal and then come back to where ever it is they call home! TYhat's how they can have so many wifes my friend!!!

Answer 10

That is easy, it's like illegal aliens or drugs, there are so many different crimes that take place that if a person is quiet and out of the general public eye it happens. It's not right but it does happen.