What is a sham divorce?

What is a sham divorce?

A sham marriage or fake marriage is a marriage of convenience entered into without intending to create a real marital relationship. After a period, couples often divorce if there is no purpose in remaining married.

Can you go to jail for fake marriage?

The U.S. spouse could face substantial fines and even jail time if convicted of the crime of committing marriage fraud. The most severe penalties are usually applied to those who engage in conspiracy operations, such as systematically arranging fraudulent marriage.

What’s the penalty for fake marriage?

An individual will be charged with marriage fraud if they entered into a marriage for the purpose of evading U.S. immigration law. This felony offense carries a prison sentence of up to five years and a fine of up to $250,000, and applies to both foreign nationals and U.S. citizens who perpetrate this crime.

How do I report someone to immigration for fake marriage?

You can call USCIS at 1-to report the fraudulent conduct….Contact the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement division.

1. Call the hotline at 1-to report suspected marriage fraud.
2. Find your local ICE office to report fraud in person.
3. ICE works independently of USCIS.

What is the penalty for lying to immigration?

Lying to an immigration officer can have extreme consequences including permanent inadmissibility, deportability, and not being allowed to apply for U.S. citizenship. Any person seeking a benefit under U.S. immigration law—a visa, permanent residency (a “green card”), or citizenship—must submit a written application.

Is lying to an immigration officer a crime?

The result is that the person might face a substantial delay or denial of the visa and quite possibly the denial of subsequent immigration applications. In fact, because lying on a visa application is a violation of federal law, a person in the U.S.

How do I report someone who lied to immigration?

USCIS Tip Form

1. Instead, report these tips to Immigration and Customs Enforcement through the toll-free Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Line, or use the HSI Tip Form.
2. You may also report human trafficking tips by calling the National Human Trafficking Hotline at

How do you fight misrepresentation in immigration case?

Applying for a Waiver for Fraud or Misrepresentation under Section 212(i) If the applicant is not in removal proceedings, he or she may file the Form I-601 with the USCIS in accordance with the form instructions. If the alien is in removal proceedings, he or she may seek a section 212(i) waiver as a defense to removal.

What is willful misrepresentation?

Willful Misrepresentation means that an action or omission that constitutes a breach of a representation or warranty was taken or omitted to be taken for the purpose of misleading the party to whom such representation or warranty was made and was not merely a volitional action or omission.

What is next after I-601 waiver approval?

Once the waiver is approved by the USCIS, the applicant should receive a packet of information from the U.S. Embassy of her country of origin. This packet will generally be sent via DHL the day the consulate receives the I-601 approval notice from USCIS. This is generally 2-3 days after the USCIS approval.

How long does it take to get a pardon from immigration?

In terms of processing times, USCIS and DOS are coordinating closely to make sure that the timing of the approval of a provisional unlawful presence waiver application is close to the time of the scheduled immigrant visa interview abroad. Generally, it takes 4 to 6 months to process an I-601A waiver application.

What is a waiver petition?

An I-601 Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility allows a non-citizen alien to immigrate to the United States, adjust their status to permanent residence, or seek admission to the United States in a nonimmigrant status, if certain grounds of inadmissibility, circumstances, or conduct prevent them from …

What is the difference between I-601 and I-601A?

Although the two waivers are fairly similar, the main difference between them is the location of the applicant: Form I-601 is for those individuals who are outside the U.S., while Form I-601A is for those individuals who are inside the U.S. The process for the I-601A waiver is slightly different.

What is an immigration waiver?

A waiver means that you ask the U.S. government to overlook or forgive the ground of inadmissibility and grant the green card (lawful permanent residence) or some other benefit despite it. Section 212 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (I.N.A.) states which grounds of inadmissibility allow for waiver applications.

Can my immigrant visa still be denied if I have the i601a approval?

Even after the provisional waiver is granted by USCIS, however, the U.S. embassy or consulate could deny your immigrant visa and green card for reasons other than your unlawful presence. In such a case, unless you qualify and apply for an additional waiver, your immigrant visa will be denied.

What is a I-601A?

Form I-601A is used for applicants in the United States with immediate U.S citizens or green card family members (such as parents or a spouse) and who entered the United States illegally. If you wish to apply for a green card, you will need to leave the United States and apply at a U.S. embassy or consulate.