Marriage Fraud and U.S. Immigration

If USCIS has serious doubts about whether your marriage is a real one, it will summon you and/or your spouse for a fraud interview.

If you are considering a fake, or sham, marriage as a means of getting U.S. lawful permanent residence (a green card), you probably already know that what you are planning is illegal.

The law pretty much speaks for itself on what happens to immigrants who commit marriage fraud. You can face prison, a fine or both.

A behind-the-scenes look at what factors the immigration authorities believe to be fraud indicators.

Bed checks do happen.

Proxy marriages won't avoid the need for travel to be with each other before applying for U.S. residence.

There are ways to combat a past USCIS finding of marriage fraud in order to go forward with a fresh application for U.S. residence.

If your green card application was denied because the U.S. government determined that your marriage to a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident is or was fraudulent, you have certain appeal rights.

Let's just say that if you're applying for a marriage-based green card and your Facebook status says "single," you've got trouble.