Is there a relief from findings of marriage fraud?

02 Nov Is there a relief from findings of marriage fraud?

By Atty. Crispin Caday Lozano

If you were petitioned by your spouse and you received a decision from USCIS stating a finding of marriage fraud you should immediately consult an experienced immigration attorney.  The Immigration and Nationality Act Sec. 204 (c) prohibits the approval of a subsequent petition if the alien committed marriage fraud in a prior petition.  It also prohibits the approval of the first petition if the Attorney General determined that the marriage is a sham.

The finding of marriage fraud usually happen during the adjustment of status interview mostly in marriage cases.  If there are inconsistencies in the responses of the petitioner and beneficiary to the questions raised by the USCIS officer, it will likely trigger a conclusion of marriage fraud.  If you received a decision stating your marriage is primarily for the purpose of obtaining immigration benefit, then, your case is likely a marriage fraud case.  The result of this decision is that even if your succeeding petition is not marriage case such as employment based or petition by your son or daughter, or parent, the petition will not be approved.  There are limited remedies available but you have to act immediately as soon as you received this kind of decision.

One exception to this rule is that if the alien has already obtained an immigrant visa or already adjusted status before he or she is sent to removal proceedings.  The prior finding of marriage fraud can be waived and the original entry or adjustment of status as an immigrant can be made valid once the waiver is granted.  But if you have not yet received a visa or adjusted your status, then, you have a big problem.

Question:         I was charged with fraudulent marriage when I applied for an immigrant visa at the U.S. Embassy in Manila as spouse of a U.S. citizen.  I was denied a visa at that time.  My spouse divorced me afterwards.  Later on my mother petitioned me as single daughter to a lawful permanent resident.  When the priority becomes current I applied for immigrant visa and I was approved.  When I was applying for naturalization, the USCIS found out the marriage fraud in my record.  I was denied my naturalization application and they sent me to removal proceedings.  What is my relief from removal?

Answer:  You are inadmissible as a Lawful Permanent Resident at the time you obtained your immigrant visa based on the petition of your mother because of the marriage fraud you initially committed.  The good news is that you can request for a waiver of the fraud or misrepresentation you have committed.  The requirements for this waiver are:

1. Must be the spouse, parent, son or daughter of a U. S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.
2. Was in possession of an immigrant visa or equivalent document and was otherwise admissible to the U.S. at the time of such admission except for the grounds of inadmissibility which was the result of his or her fraud or misrepresentation.

You may qualify for a waiver because you are the daughter of a U.S. citizen.  At the time of your admission to the U. S. you are in possession of an immigrant visa and you are otherwise admissible except for your prior fraud or misrepresentation.  The Immigration Judge has the discretion to grant a waiver in this situation.  The Judge will weigh the positive factors about your case and compare them with the negative factors.

Note:   This is not a legal advice.

SUCCESS STORIES

1. On October 21, 2016, we received an approval of N-400 naturalization for a client who has child support and tax debts issues by submitting documents proving good faith compliance.
2. On October 20, 2016, we received an approval from USCIS for adjustment of status for a client who has hearing disability.
3. On September 12, 2016, we received an approval from Immigration Court for a waiver of misrepresentation for a client who entered as single but actually married at date of entry.
4. On September 1, 2016, we received an approval of naturalization from USCIS for two clients who has unpaid taxes but with IRS agreement.
5. On August 11, 2016, we received an approval from USCIS of a green card based on employment without any interview.
6. On July 29, 2016, we received an approval of Naturalization from USCIS for an alien who has an approved waiver for entering as single but actually married.
7. On July 21, 2016, we received an approval of Naturalization from USCIS for an alien who has an approved waiver for using a different name.
8. On July 11, 2016, we received an approval of I-360 self petition by abused spouse from USCIS.
9. On June 15, 2016, we received an approval of I-601 waiver for a client who made a misrepresentation when she entered on an A2 visa under another person name.
10. On May 25, 2016, we received an approval of green card for a client who used a different name from her birth certificate. We proved that she has been using her different name since she was in grade school.
11. On April 28, 2016, we received an approval of PERM for a client who is employed in the Philippines.
12. On April 19, 2016, we received an approval from USCIS for naturalization of a client who has a criminal record that happened five years ago.
13. On April 11, 2016, we received an approval from USCIS for adjustment of status for a client who used a different name on her passport.
14. On April 5, 2016, we received an approval from USCIS for petition by son to a father. The son was born out of wedlock and the father’s name was not on his birth certificate.
15. On March 8, 2016, we received an approval of immigrant visa for a former crewman with whom we filed for provisional waiver.
16. On February 3, 2016, we received an approval from USCIS of naturalization for client who has an approved waiver of misrepresentation.
17. On January 28, 2016, we received an approval from USCIS for an I-360 self petition for abused spouse of U.S. citizen.
18. On January 26, 2016, we received an approval from USCIS for an adjustment of status for client with big age difference with the U.S. citizen spouse based on good faith marriage.
19. We have more success stories at our website at crispinlozanolaw.com