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Immigration Fraud: A Deceptive and Unlawful Act
Immigration is a hotly debated issue in the United States, with politicians and citizens discussing ways to control it. There are established legal processes to immigrate legally into the country, but sometimes people use deceptive means to manipulate the immigration system. These actions constitute immigration fraud, which carries severe consequences.
What is Immigration Fraud?
At its core, immigration fraud involves deceiving individuals reviewing an immigration application by providing false information or omitting essential details. Examples include creating a fake marriage, falsely claiming citizenship status, illegally attempting to return after deportation, unlawfully entering the country, and aiding others in illegal entry by providing false information or not observing proper procedures when hiring immigrant employees.
Related Crimes
Immigration fraud has several other offenses that someone can be charged with. If someone accepts money to smuggle another person into the country, they can face bank or wire fraud charges. Additionally, if a government official is bribed in exchange for a favorable ruling on an immigration case, the offender may also be found liable for immigration fraud.
Penalties for Immigration Fraud
Immigrants who commit immigration fraud risk being deported immediately if caught traveling or trying to enter the United States unlawfully. Others caught aiding them could face serious penalties as well like substantial financial penalties or imprisonment as it is considered a felony offense.
Employers who hire undocumented immigrants may face harsh penalties from government institutions such as Department of Homeland Security or ICE (United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement). Those convicted of wire fraud or bribery also face additional penalties depending on their degree of involvement in the crime.
Defense Strategies
Lawyers defending cases involving immigration fraud will most likely implore a lack-of-intention defense strategy. Because filling out formal immigration paperwork can be complicated and confusing, mistakes are inevitable. Legal counsel can help dismiss charges by proving these errors as innocent mistakes instead of malicious intent. Defense strategies could involve negotiating plea bargains with minimized sentences or creating a presentation to defend the accused person in court.
Conclusion
The government upholds strict laws and penalties for immigration fraud, which includes using misinformation, falsification, and unlawful means to enter the country. Immigrants who have been wrongly accused of immigration fraud should seek assistance from reputable immigration lawyers to help them navigate their way out of the situation. If you are caught up in such a situation, do not hesitate to contact an experienced attorney who understands immigration law. They can provide you with legal information on all the possible outcomes of your case and advise you of strategies that could result in favorable verdicts for your circumstances.
Related Crimes and Penalties for Immigration Fraud
| Crime | Description |
|---|---|
| Bank Fraud | Taking money to smuggle someone into the country illegally. |
| Wire Fraud | Taking money through fraudulent wire transactions to smuggle someone into the country illegally. |
| Bribery | Bribing a government official in exchange for a favorable ruling related to an immigration case. |
| Punishment | Description |
|---|---|
| Deportation | The most common punishment received by illegal immigrants is deportation or immediate return home..... |
| Financial Penalties | Immigration law enforcers may impose severe fines on employers who hire undocumented immigrants or people committing immigration fraud. |
| Imprisonment | This could result in a felony charge leading to imprisonment, depending on the extent of the offense. |
Defense strategies for Immigration Fraud
| Defense Strategies | Description |
|---|---|
| Lack of Intention | Proving that the accused person had no fraudulent intent and/or made innocent mistakes while filling out immigration paperwork.. |
| Negotiating a Plea Bargain ... | Lay out a defense strategy that may involve negotiating agreements with minimized sentences. They can provide this information to help the accused navigate their way into avoiding extensive penalties.... |
Very diligent, organized associates; got my case dismissed. Hard working attorneys who can put up with your anxiousness. I was accused of robbing a gemstone dealer. Definitely A law group that lays out all possible options and alternative routes. Recommended for sure.
- ROBIN, GUN CHARGES ROBIN
NEW JERSEY CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEYS