Clearly, most of you don't know what it's like to not have papers (permanent residency) in this country.... not every paperless human being wants to marry to get their papers (but some definitely do).... I've been in this country for 10 yrs without papers (but I'm not illegal though).... I started out with a student visa (undergrad n grad school).... Worked for a fortune 500 bank for 4 yrs who only filed a work visa and not a permanent residency (they promised me before I started, but I didnt get it in writing), and now back in school for my PhD.... Oh... I got married too... except I got married to a Nigerian from Nigeria in the same student visa boat as me...
My point.... not everyone without papers is trifling.... OP if this guy only wants you for papers, you will see other negative traits... + this guy is 37 yrs old, who age-wise needs to be married soon, and got introduced to you by your MOTHER who is from the same country as him... in marry-for-paper situations, the men generally go for women who nobody in their circle knows, to avoid the backlash after they divorce...
I say give this guy a chance... if he shows some negative/greedy traits that you are uncomfortable with, dump his ***.... else... you dont know what God has in store for you.