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Immigration Marriage Fraud May Lead To Jail Time

Chris Gafner — Mon, 02 May 2011 10:56:41 +0000

The U.S. sentenced a Mexican soup opera star to 30 days of jail for entering into a sham marriage and committing Immigration Marriage Fraud. Marriage fraud has real consequences and individuals who are thinking about it should know that both the U.S. citizen and the foreign national face up to five years in prison (and/or a fine). The couple hoped to avoid jail time by taking plea agreements, but the Judge didn’t let them get off that easily.

The Mexican soup opera star will most likely face deportation for marriage fraud.

The case highlights the need for careful scrutiny of each couple seeking immigration benefits based upon marriage to a U.S. couple. However, at times the scrutiny seems a bit over zealous and individuals in good faith marriages have a difficult time showing the government that their relationship is real. Just saying it is, is not enough. Knowing what kinds of evidence the government is seeking is half the battle.

If you are thinking of seeking immigration into the United States, please contact a New York K-1 Visa attorney or New York Spousal Visa attorney to ensure you receive the immigration benefits you are entitled to receive.

Mexican Actress Accused of Marriage Fraud

Chris Gafner — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 10:37:11 +0000

Mexican actress Fernanda Romero has been accused of marriage fraud by the U.S. Government. Ms. Romero has been accused of paying her husband money in 2005 to marry her so that she could become a permanent resident in the United States. The Government believes that the couple never lived together and have arrested Ms. Romero’s husband also.

The Government began investigating the couple after a former boyfriend of Ms. Romero told federal officials that the marriage was a sham.

Although it is important that the government ensures that individuals do not defraud the system, it must be remembered that some scorned ex-lovers may invent stories of fraud to get back at their former lovers. If you are ever put into a situation where you are threatened by a former lover with a false accusation of marriage fraud, please do not hesitate to contact a NYC immigration attorney.

Marriage Fraud for immigration purposes can result in imprisonment of up to five years for both the foreign national and the U.S. citizen.

DOS Makes Changes to K-3 Spouse Visa

Chris Gafner — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 14:01:37 +0000

The Department of State (DOS) has recently changed its procedure for the K-3 spousal visa. Originally, the K-3 visa was meant to provide an avenue for foreign nationals who are married to a U.S. citizen to come into the United States while they wait for the adjudication of an immigrant visa (I-130). Unfortunately, the process for obtaining the K-3 visa has often become just as long as the I-130 process.

Since the two applications are taking about the same amount of time, the DOS has changed its procedure. Now, when both the I-129F (for the K-3 visa) and the I-130 (for the immigrant visa) have been approved by the USCIS, the DOS will administratively close the I-129f application. This change is a logical step in lessening the DOS’s workload. Let’s hope that the change will allow the DOS and USCIS to hurry up its approval of K-3 visas where the I-130 petition lags.