Love knows no boundary. When you meet and fall in love with a foreign national, the U.S. immigration laws permit you to sponsor them for a green card so they can join you in the country. For this to happen, you have to be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, of course.
Because of this provision, it is not uncommon for some foreign nationals to enter into sham marriages to fast-track their entry into the U.S. This is a criminal offense both at the state and federal levels. If you are accused of marriage fraud, it’s in your best interest that you know what you are up against.
What is a sham marriage?
Generally, a marriage is deemed fraudulent if it is entered into for the sole purpose of circumventing immigration laws and obtaining a green card. Here are some of the notable characteristics of a sham marriage:
- Non-existent relationship – When the sole purpose of the marriage is gaining immigration benefits rather than establishing a family together as any normal couple would.
- Financial rewards – When a foreign national pays a U.S. citizen or permanent resident to marry them
- Deception – When the foreign national deceives the U.S. citizen or permanent resident to marry them with the intention of quitting the marriage after arriving in the country.
Marriage fraud is a serious violation of immigration laws. Here are the penalties you might face if you are convicted of marrying for a green card:
Penalties if you are a foreign national
If you are a foreign national who is convicted of immigration fraud, you might be jailed for up to five years and fined up to $250,000. Additionally, your visa will be revoked paving the way for your removal from the country as soon as you finish your jail time.
Penalties if you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
Depending on your involvement, you may be fined and jailed. If, for instance, you received cash incentives to enter into the marriage, then you will likely face severe penalties.
Immigration fraud is a serious offense. Find out how you can safeguard your rights and mount a defense if you are accused of marrying for a green card.
