U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is taking immediate steps to address immigration fraud. This is part of a larger trend of stricter immigration enforcement measures taken by the U.S. government. The changes apply immediately to pending and future applications.
Immigration fraud is a federal offense and can have serious legal consequences, per Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) policy. Individuals convicted of immigration fraud can face up to ten years in prison. They can also have their citizenship revoked and be ineligible from re-applying. Actions that count as immigration fraud include:
- Falsifying information on documents.
- Submitting invalid documents for oneself or on behalf of someone else.
- Registering a marriage where the relationship isn’t verifiable.
- Claiming to have familial or financial support that doesn’t exist.
- Actively omitting a criminal record or submitting a false employment history.
Individuals planning on applying for immigration benefits, be they a visa, green card, or full citizenship, should take appropriate steps to decrease the chances of being accused. Applicants should make sure all their information is listed correctly on the proper documents before submission. Any questions asked during the immigration process should always be answered truthfully. Simply giving an incorrect statement during an interview could qualify as immigration fraud. Applicants should also be prepared for longer wait times given the increased vetting process.
As always, ILBSG actively monitors ongoing U.S. immigration news. If you have questions about any U.S. immigration related issue, please contact us. Working with an experienced attorney ensures you get the right advice based on the most recent laws and policy updates. In an ever-evolving immigration landscape, it’s particularly critical.