Understanding the Risks and Consequences of Using a Fake Permanent Resident Card

Individuals may seek fake cards for various reasons, including attempting to work illegally, accessing benefits, or avoiding deportation. However, using a fraudulent Green Card can lead to severe legal consequences. It’s crucial to understand that making a false claim to U.S. citizenship can jeopardize one’s status and future immigration prospects.

How To Identify A Fake Permanent Resident Card

Spotting a fake Permanent Resident Card requires attention to detail. Examine the genuine card‘s physical characteristics and printed information carefully.

Check for raised text and images. Genuine cards have tactile features you can feel by running your finger across the surface. Counterfeits often lack this three-dimensional quality.

Inspect the card’s hologram and color-shifting ink. Authentic Green Cards display these security features, which are difficult to replicate accurately in fakes.

Look for spelling and grammatical errors. Counterfeit cards may contain typos or incorrect sentence structures, especially on the back.

Verify the valid name card number format. Since 1979, all legitimate Permanent Resident Cards have used the form number I-551.

If you suspect fraud, we encourage reporting it through the USCIS Tip Form. Staying vigilant helps protect the integrity of the immigration system.

Legal Consequences Of Using A Fake Permanent Resident Card

Possessing or using a forged Permanent Resident Card violates federal law. Offenders may face criminal charges under 18 U.S. Code § 1546, which prohibits document fraud related to immigration. Consequences may involve fines reaching $250,000 and imprisonment for up to 5 years.

Deportation is a likely outcome for non-citizens caught with fake Green Cards. The U.S. government may initiate removal proceedings, leading to a ban on future entry of foreign nationals to the country. This ban can last for years or even be permanent, depending on the circumstances.

Using a fraudulent Green Card can also result in ineligibility for future immigration benefits. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) may deny applications for naturalization or other visas due to this misconduct.

Case Studies And Real-Life Examples

Domingo Luna, also known as “Morro,” a 34-year-old resident of Camden, was been sentenced to 24 months in federal prison by Judge Joseph H. Rodriguez. In September 2013, Luna admitted guilt to charges of creating fraudulent identification documents and unlawfully reentering the United States after deportation, both of which are federal felonies. Luna was apprehended by HSI agents on December 12, 2013, and has remained in ICE administrative custody since his arrest.

Another case involved Wilberto Sandoval Mazariego, 40, who admitted to a single count of unlawful transfer of a document or authentication feature. U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs has set the sentencing date for October 3, 2024. Sandoval Mazariego was initially arrested and charged via criminal complaint in October 2023, and subsequently indicted by a federal grand jury that same month.

We’ve seen instances where employers faced legal troubles for knowingly hiring individuals with fake green cards. Companies can incur substantial fines and face criminal charges for such practices. The E-Verify system helps businesses identify fraudulent documents and avoid these pitfalls.