There are numerous reasons why people seek to get a green card. One of them is marriage. If someone marries an individual who is a U.S. citizen, that can help open the door for them to obtain a green card. That green card, in turn, allows them to stay in the United States as a permanent resident, and many married couples will eventually seek an adjustment of status so that the former immigrant can become a naturalized U.S. citizen.
Green card marriage fraud occurs when people intentionally enter into a fake marriage solely for the purpose of defrauding the immigration system and obtaining a green card that otherwise would not have been issued. These individuals may technically take steps to get married and satisfy the legal requirements, but they both know that the relationship is a sham. They are only pretending to be romantically involved in order to obtain the green card.
How do the authorities prevent this?
This is a very serious offense. Someone who is convicted of green card marriage fraud could be ordered to pay a fine of up to $250,000 and may even spend five years behind bars. It is not just that the green card may be revoked, but criminal penalties could also apply.
Typically, authorities attempt to prevent this type of fraud by conducting green card marriage interviews. Even though the legal marriage requirements may be satisfied, a USCIS agent will interview the couple about their relationship, their daily lives, their plans for the future, their family dynamics and other relevant factors. The goal is to identify couples who are in authentic marriages, as opposed to those who are not.
Avoiding accusations of fraud is important, as is navigating the application process and any potential interviews. If you are seeking a green card this year, be sure you know exactly what legal steps to take.