Fraud investigations, legal representation, and reporting.
for Victims of Immigration Fraud
Common Fraud Schemes
When it comes to immigration fraud, the truth is often stranger than fiction. We understand what other firms don’t, and do what other firms won’t.
Marriage Fraud
for Spouses of U.S. Citizens
One of the fastest ways for a foreign national to immigrate to the United States is to marry a U.S. citizen. Unfortunately, aliens can pretend to be in love with their citizen spouse, while harboring the hidden intention of abandoning the marital relationship after obtaining a Green Card. This is one-sided marriage fraud and is a felony under federal law.
VAWA Fraud
for Spouses With No Green Card
Foreign nationals who marry a U.S. citizen, but who don’t yet have a Green Card, can falsely accuse their citizen spouse of domestic violence in order to fast-track their Green Card process. These perpetrators often file a phony police report or protective order to generate evidence of abuse. This is VAWA fraud and is a felony under federal law.
I-751 Fraud
for Conditional Permanent Residents
Foreign spouses with 2-year conditional Green Cards normally jointly file Form I-751 with their citizen spouse to remove conditions on residency. However, foreign spouses can falsely accuse their citizen spouse of domestic violence in order to qualify for a waiver of this requirement. This is I-751 fraud and is a felony under federal law.
U Visa Fraud
for Crime Victims
Foreign nationals who enter the United States illegally have few options for legalizing their status. One of the easiest ways is to accuse someone of a crime, which can make them and their family eligible for a “U visa” and the promise of a new life in America. This puts a target on the back of innocent Americans with few safeguards to prevent fraud.
T Visa Fraud
for Human Trafficking Victims
Like the U visa, the “T visa” provides illegal aliens with a pathway to citizenship if an alien simply alleges to be the victim of crime. Unlike the U visa, however, the T visa is specific to allegations of “human trafficking” with even more relaxed eligibility requirements. Business owners who hire illegal aliens are at heightened risk of T visa fraud.
We play offense and defense.
We provide offensive and defensive investigations and legal representation, depending on the client’s goals.
How we help victims of immigration fraud
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We conduct professional investigations into allegations of immigration fraud. The outcome of these investigations are professional memoranda and reports that may be used internally for litigation and externally for law enforcement and immigration officials.
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Before trial, we prepare investigative memoranda and reports that analyze evidence of fraud in preparation for pre-trial motions, hearings, and negotiations with prosecutors. We also assist clients and their local attorneys with identifying and securing relevant discovery and preparing for cross-examination of adverse witnesses.
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At trial, we help local attorneys introduce evidence of immigration fraud over the objections of opposing counsel. We provide research and analysis, as well as referrals to expert witnesses who can testify before judges and juries.
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On appeal, we help identify, research, and analyze issues relating to allegations of immigration fraud that were raised or omitted during the course of the trial, including regulatory, procedural, statutory, or constitutional issues.
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If our professional investigation indicates probable cause to believe a foreign national has committed, or is planning to commit, immigration fraud, our firm can assist with making referrals from private counsel to law enforcement and/or immigration agencies.
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The damage caused by false or misleading news reports can be even more damaging than the outcome of legal proceedings. We help mitigate this damage by serving as public advocates for individuals and families with media outlets.
Fraud is easy.
The Federal government knows it, and admits it.
“[The VAWA] self-petition program is vulnerable to fraud...the number of self-petitions filed has grown by more than 70 percent over the past 5 fiscal years.”
– U.S. Government Accountability Office
“USCIS’ U visa program is not managed effectively and is susceptible to fraud.”
– U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Inspector General
“[The U] visa is being exploited by those wishing to defraud the system...instances of law enforcement officials improperly certifying U visa forms in exchange for cash and other bribes is a common occurrence.”
– U.S. Senate and House Judiciary Committees
Fraud is widespread.
Foreign nationals steal American hearts, wallets, and reputations – sometimes all at once.
September 23, 2022 / The Daily Mail
A man was reportedly duped into a marriage with a foreign national who falsely accused him of domestic violence to obtain a Green Card under the Violence Against Women Act. According to the Immigration Reform Law Institute, “30 percent of all marriages between U.S. citizens and foreigners are ruses for a Green Card.”
April 11, 2022 / The Epoch Times
A group of foreign nationals and U.S. citizens reportedly used a provision in the Violence Against Women Act for a “profit-making fake marriage scheme” involving hundreds of fake marriages in California and Massachusetts . The group reportedly hired homeless people to pose as spouses and they filed false temporary restraining orders to qualify for Green Cards.
August 25, 2021 / PennLive
A group reportedly fraudulently orchestrated a series of robberies to obtain U visas. The group reportedly sent a fake robber to stores armed with a pellet gun to commit the fake crimes. The fake robbery victims would then notify police, as well as healthcare providers claiming emotional distress.
July 19, 2021 / Ocala StarBanner
A Mexican woman and illegal alien reportedly falsely alleged that she had been kidnapped and raped to obtain a U visa. A motorist found the woman naked on the side of the road. She told police that she had been abducted and sexually assaulted by a masked person who made her drink a liquid that tasted like beer and water.
January 17, 2021 / The Daily Wire
A Mexican woman and illegal alien reportedly falsely accused guards at a Houston detention center of raping her the night before she was to be deported to obtain a U visa. The woman, who had reportedly been previously imprisoned for abusing a child, was busted after she confessed to the fraud on a phone call with law enforcement officials.
November 19, 2019 / The Star Tribune
A woman reportedly masterminded numerous fraudulent armed robberies, which included slashing the phony victims with a box cutter, to obtain U visas. Police officers grew suspicious because the alleged incidents were similar to prior cases. The woman, herself, had previously received a signed U visa certification from the police chief.
November 4, 2019 / The Seattle Times
A group of 10 people reportedly staged an armed robbery at a burger restaurant to obtain U visas. When officers arrived they were told that two robbers had tied up the restaurant manager and six customers, then stole their belongings and sexually assaulted two women. The Sheriff later said, “It was all a lie.”
Read more at our news page.