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    marlet's Avatar
    marlet Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Dec 1, 2009, 10:41 AM
    Repercussions for falsely marrying an american citiyen to obtain visa
    I know someone who married an american citizen to get a visa. What are the judicial repercussions for doing so? He paid her to apply for him to get his residency and now he is about to get his citizenship.
    s_cianci's Avatar
    s_cianci Posts: 5,472, Reputation: 760
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    #2

    Dec 1, 2009, 04:42 PM

    It's hard to say without more information. Off the bat it doesn't sound like anything illegal occurred. Getting married isn't a crime, provided that the marriage itself was legal (both parties of legal age, neither one currently married to someone else, etc.) Even if the motives for marrying were selfish, that in and of itself isn't criminal. Now if they really weren't married but fraudulently stated that they were, then it's a whole new ballgame. Any of a number of things could happen ; his citizenship could be revoked, he could be deported, he could be prosecuted, etc.
    JudyKayTee's Avatar
    JudyKayTee Posts: 46,503, Reputation: 4600
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    #3

    Dec 5, 2009, 12:08 PM

    Unless the law has changed it is illegal to marry in order to defraud Immigration. There are various scenarios - paid brides/grooms, agreements to divorce within x years, all types of things. If I&NS finds out they can and will prosecute the US citizen and deport the non-citizen.

    "Bureau of Diplomatic Security, U.S. Department of State, Special Agent Tom Depenbrock.

    I am here today to deliver a clear message. Marriage and visa fraud potentially threaten the national security of the United States.

    The U.S. visa is one of the most coveted items in the world, and foreign nationals have acquired visas fraudulently to enter the United States. Also the danger Marriage Fraud Poses to the National Security is these crimes affect the American economy as well. These foreign nationals who enter the country and commit marriage fraud or any other type of fraud are defrauding the United States of immigration benefits to which they are not entitled. These crimes violate the legal immigration process. They also threaten the integrity of the system for others ... Marriage fraud also threatens Americans who live with a stranger who is
    now his or her new "spouse." We have seen instances where the foreign spouse has gained access to bank accounts and other personal information and left the American -- in trouble.

    Marriage fraud is a serious crime. Participants may think their single fraudulent marriage will not be discovered They threaten our national, economic, and personal security. In closing, I want to reemphasize the seriousness ... marriage and visa fraud ... bring ... consequences are far greater than the potential gains. Special Agent Tom Depenbrock, U.S. Department of State."

    At one time US Customs, US Immigration and US Border Patrol all had trained officers who looked at nothing but marriage fraud. Now that Departments have combined I am not certain which offices are in charge.
    lawanwadee's Avatar
    lawanwadee Posts: 3,653, Reputation: 124
    Immigration Expert
    		  
    #4

    Dec 5, 2009, 12:39 PM

    This is hard to prove... get paid or not, as long as they live together and can produce evidences of bona fide marriage, nothing you can do.

    Report to ICE if you have evidence.
    Fr_Chuck's Avatar
    Fr_Chuck Posts: 81,301, Reputation: 7692
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    #5

    Dec 5, 2009, 03:59 PM

    So exactly what evidence, that is admitable into court do you have ?

    And again why do you care ?
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