Understanding Marriage Fraud: Immigration Law Crime

Examples of Marriage Fraud

Anyone can get married and produce a marriage certificate without any hassle. Hence even though a marriage may be valid on paper, it may not qualify as a marriage for U.S. immigration purposes.

The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) requires an additional element: a marriage upon which an immigration application is based must have been contracted bonafide. There must be evidence to show that the couple involved must have entered the marriage in good faith, intending to live and build a life together. Anything less may be classified as a fake marriage or marriage fraud. 

Some of the common instances of marriage fraud include the following:

• The marriage was conducted in exchange for money paid to the U.S. citizen or LPR.

• One of the parties was in a previous marriage that had not been legally terminated, rendering the current marriage invalid.

• The foreign national spouse entered the marriage to evade immigration law restrictions, even though the citizen or LPR spouse believes the marriage is genuine. 

Penalties for Marriage Fraud

Under the INA 8 U.S. Code 1325(c), the penalty for knowingly partaking in a sham marriage is imprisonment for up to five years, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. The law covers both U.S. citizens and non-citizens involved in the fraudulent act. It also covers individuals who knowingly engage in marriage fraud as a commercial enterprise.

Immigrants who commit marriage fraud will also have their visas revoked. They may be arrested, and removal proceedings may be initiated against them. The immigration authorities may also restrict their eligibility for re-admission into the U.S.

The criminal penalties for marriage fraud are overwhelming, and such acts shouldn’t be considered at all. But sometimes, despite your pure intentions, you might be suspected of being in a sham marriage based on the contents of your application and your conduct during the immigration interview.

In the following sections, we’ll discuss how the authorities assess cases to detect sham marriages and the steps you could take to avoid such issues. 

How the Immigration Authorities Prevent and Determine Marriage Fraud 

Statutory Preventive Measures

To minimize instances of marriage fraud, the Immigration Marriage Fraud Act of 1986, which amended the INA, establishes certain hurdles that spousal visa applicants must cross before becoming lawful permanent residents. They include the following requirements:

• Couples applying for a “K” (fiance) visa must have met at least once within the preceding two years before the visa application was filed. The fiance visa allows a foreign national engaged to a U.S. citizen to enter the U.S., get married, and apply to become a permanent resident. There are exceptions to the two-year meeting rule stated above. Those who have issues complying may benefit from the help of a K1 visa immigration lawyer who can assess their case and determine whether the exceptions apply.

• Generally, spousal immigration applications begin with the citizen or LPR spouses filing an immigrant petition on behalf of the foreign spouse. If everything goes well at that stage, the foreign spouse is issued conditional permanent residency that lasts for two years unless they had been married for more than two years on the day they obtained permanent residency.

• To remove the conditions of residency and become lawful permanent residents, the foreign national and their citizen spouse must file a joint petition (Form I 751) to that effect within 90 days before the period of conditional residency ends. During the process, they must establish that the marriage exists, is legally valid, and was not entered into to evade immigration laws or for money or any other benefit.

Investigation and Scrutiny of Marriage-Based Green Card Applications

During the transition process from conditional resident to LPR or the application process for a spousal visa or adjustment of status through marriage, the immigration officer in charge of the case will scrutinize the details provided in the application/petition forms and the supporting documents provided.

They look out for details that show that the couple intended to build a life together, such as

• Proof of joint bank accounts

• Trips taken together

• Joint property ownership.

If you’re starting the application process, it is important that you provide the officer with the above or similar documents to show the legitimacy of your relationship. 

You and your spouse may need to attend the immigration interview together. If the interview is successful the first time, there may be no need for a follow-up session. But if the answers you and your spouse gave during the interview were conflicting, it could lead the immigration officer to suspect marriage fraud.

In that case, they would invite you both for a Stokes interview, where you and your spouse would be questioned separately to determine the authenticity of your marriage. 

The answers you give at this point could improve or ruin your chances. It would help if you were well-prepared before the interview date. You can seek help from an experienced immigration lawyer to prepare for the interview beforehand.

Uncovering the Truth: How USCIS Detects Marriage Fraud

Uncovering marriage fraud is a key task for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to ensure the integrity of immigration laws. Detecting sham marriages involves several investigative techniques and strict scrutiny.

Evidence and Interviews

USCIS officials examine the details of the marriage, looking for evidence of a bona fide marriage. This includes checking joint bank accounts, property ownership, and shared life activities. The immigration interview is crucial, where both the foreign spouse and citizen spouse must convincingly demonstrate a real marital relationship. Discrepancies in answers can trigger further investigation.

Document Verification

Immigration authorities verify the authenticity of marriage certificates, prior marital status, and any previous attempts to obtain status. They also look into whether the marriage was conducted with the primary purpose of circumventing immigration laws. For instance, mail order marriages or marriages conducted in exchange for money are red flags.

Conditional Residency Scrutiny

Foreign nationals initially receive a two-year conditional status. To transition to lawful permanent resident status, couples must file Form I-751 to remove conditions. USCIS requires substantial evidence that the marriage is legitimate, including proof of cohabitation and shared responsibilities.

Site Visits and Surveillance

In suspected fraud cases, USCIS may conduct site visits to verify the couple’s living situation. Interviews with neighbors or co-workers may also be conducted to ascertain the authenticity of the relationship.

Consequences of Fraudulent Marriages

Committing marriage fraud can result in severe consequences, including fines, imprisonment, and deportation. Both the foreign spouse and the U.S. citizen involved in the sham marriage face penalties. Additionally, those found guilty may be barred from re-entering the U.S. and obtaining any immigration benefits in the future.

Legal Assistance

Given the complexities of immigration law, individuals accused of marriage fraud should seek help from an experienced immigration attorney. Legal experts can provide guidance on gathering evidence, preparing for interviews, and navigating legal defenses to protect one’s immigration status.