Red Flags That Make USCIS Suspect Marriage Fraud

Whenever a U.S. citizen marries and then sponsors a noncitizen for an immigrant visa or green card based on marriage, the couple can expect one thing: Their application will be carefully scrutinized by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and also by the U.S. State Department (if the immigrant is applying from overseas, through a U.S. consulate).

The U.S. government tends to believe, based purely on anecdotal evidence, that a large number of the marriage-based immigration applications it receives are fraudulent or fake; in other words, that they're just an attempt by the would-be immigrant to obtain U.S. residence. (See I.N.A. § 204(c).)

What's more, the relevant immigration agencies will take a closer look at some applications a closer look than others, particularly when it spots the "red flags" described in this article.

Why Isn't a Marriage Certificate Enough to Show a Valid Marriage?

A marriage certificate is only the beginning. In order to qualify for a marriage-based green card in the U.S., you must prove more than that you are legally married. The U.S. government requires evidence that your marriage is bona fide, meaning that you are sharing, or are making arrangements to share, a life together.

Examples of documents most couples use to show this include copies of joint bank statements, leases, and mortgages, children's birth certificates, and more. See these articles on Proving the Bona Fides of Your Marriage for Immigration Purposes.

Fact Patterns in Which Couples Must Work Extra Hard to Prove Bona Fide Marriage

The following types of personal characteristics or living situations raise questions in the eyes of USCIS or the consulate.

No shared language

If the couple can't talk to each other in any meaningful way, how can they really build a shared life together?

Vast difference in age

People of different ages certainly get married sometimes. But when combined with other red flags, the thinking is that it could represent a compromise by someone who is either interested in obtaining a green card or in being paid to help someone else do so.

Difference in religion

Because religious beliefs are fundamental to many people's approach to life and daily behavior, the U.S. government takes a second look at applications from people of different religions who have married.

Different social class or cultural background

People of different wealth levels or place in society often get married, too. Nevertheless, the U.S. government will be curious to know more about how this occurred, and whether this is true love or not.

Difference in race

You can see a pattern here: Any time a couple doesn't share basic characteristics, it raises questions in the eyes of U.S. immigration authorities.

Unequal educational background

Studies show that most women don't believe they could admire a man less educated than they; and that men put intelligence and education at number five on their ranking of desirable qualities in a mate. So if one person in the couple is highly educated and the other not, expect questions.

Different addresses

After marriage, most couples live together. If you don't; particularly if both of you are living in the same country; you will need to provide a good explanation. For example, showing that one of you is finishing a university degree and the other one can't leave his or her job could help your case. Also be ready to show that you plan to live together as soon as possible.

Same house, but no actual interaction

If, for instance, your work and other schedules are set up so that you are never home at the same time, or share a bed, the U.S. government will wonder whether that was intentional.

Secret marriage

If you haven't told your friends and family about your union, USCIS will wonder whether it's because you don't want them to get all excited about a marriage that you plan to end as soon as the immigrant gets a green card.

All-too-convenient timing of marriage

A goodly number of marriages happen after an undocumented person in the U.S. is caught and placed into removal proceedings, or before someone on a nonimmigrant visa is reaching the date by which he or she must leave the United States. (One can apply for a green card based on marriage as a defense to deportation.)

You will have to explain why you didn't choose to marry until it became a matter of urgency.

Attempts to manufacture evidence of shared life right before USCIS interview

You will be asked to provide evidence of joint accounts, assets, memberships, and so on. Those items will likely have dates showing when they were begun. If the dates are mere weeks before the green card or visa interview date, it will create suspicion that you were trying to make your case look good rather than taking natural steps to join your lives.

Marriage soon after you met

Most people like to take at least several months to consider getting married. If you got married after only a few meetings or weeks, the government will wonder whether the cause was the heat of romance or, say, money.

Marriage soon after one person's divorce

Again, a marriage by someone who was presumably not free to date until recently could indicate that the "courtship" was suspiciously short. (Or you might have to prove the existence of a long affair!)

History of U.S. petitioner sponsoring other spousal immigrants

If the U.S. citizen or permanent resident has married and petitioned for one or more other immigrants in the past, it stands to reason that those marriages ended in divorce. Did that mean a real marriage fell apart, or was the earlier marriage(s) nothing more than a green card scam? And now, since the petitioner didn't get caught the first time around, is he or she trying it again? Definitely expect heavy questioning in this situation.

Noncitizen comes from a country with a history of immigration fraud

The U.S. government keeps track of which countries' citizens commit visa or other immigration fraud at high rates. Though it's not your fault, if the immigrant spouse comes from one of these countries, he or she will face extra scrutiny.

No children if woman is of childbearing age

Giving birth to children is not a requirement of marriage, but having no children can be seen an added negative factor in an otherwise questionable case.

Impoverished U.S. citizen or resident petitioner

If the U.S. member of the couple lacks a job or is apparently in desperate need of money, U.S. immigration authorities might wonder whether he or she is looking to make some quick bucks through a fraudulent marriage.

History of crimes, fraud, or lies by either spouse

Anyone who has committed past illegal acts might be looked at as more likely or willing to enter into marriage fraud.

Dealing With Red Flags in Your Green Card Application

Clearly, any or many of the above factors might be present in a perfectly real marriage. And couples whose cases present no red flags could nevertheless be given a hard time by U.S. immigration decision-makers.

The stakes are high. Not only could your case be denied on marriage fraud grounds, but you could face legal penalties.

One important thing is to realize that the authorities have a tough decision to make in a short time. The more you, as an applicant, can do to recognize and allay their likely sources of doubt, the better the odds that your case will be approved. For a complete discussion of the rules and guidance on how to apply, see Fiance and Marriage Visas: A Couple's Guide to U.S. Immigration (Nolo).