Every year in Fort Worth, U.S. citizens marry foreign nationals. Because marriage to a United States citizen is a potential path to full citizenship for foreign nationals, the validity of these marriages can be subject to review by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) division of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
If the DHS suspects you entered your marriage with the intention of circumventing the normal immigration process to the United States or otherwise defrauding the government about the true nature of your relationship, you could be subject to charges of marriage fraud. A Fort Worth marriage fraud lawyer with the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg can help you fight the case and keep you and your spouse together.
The Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg can Help with Your Marriage Fraud Case
The Law Offices of Randal B. Isenberg is a law firm that offers criminal defense for people in the Fort Worth area. We have been serving the Dallas/Fort Worth community for over 30 years. Our managing partner, Randall B. Isenberg, is board certified in criminal defense by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
Randall has also served as a state district judge and felony prosecutor. This experience with the Texas legal system can be of great assistance to defendants in a Fort Worth marriage fraud case. As your defense attorneys, our goal is to fight for you and prove that your marriage is legitimate your family can remain together.
What Is Marriage Fraud?
Under current U.S. Law, any marriage entered into, or conceived with the goal of evading or circumventing United States immigration laws is considered fraudulent. Common examples of marriage fraud include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Visa lottery fraudulent marriages
- A U.S. citizen being paid or receiving compensation to marry a foreign national
- A U.S. citizen marrying a foreign national as a favor
- A foreign national defrauding a U.S. citizen into believing their marriage is legitimate
- So-called “Mail-order marriages” when the U.S. citizen, the foreign national (or both) know the marriage is not legitimate and only done for the purposes of circumventing U.S. immigration law
The USCIS has the Power to Declare Your Marriage Fraudulent
USCIS is an incredibly powerful federal agency that is charged with the responsibility of securing America’s borders. Although the common stereotype of illegal immigration is people making unauthorized border crossings, immigration fraud by way of marriage is still a common enough occurrence that USCIS keeps a watchful eye out for it.
Before issuing a residency card (green card) to your spouse, they will conduct an “adjustment of status” interview. If, as a result of their impressions of you at the interview, the USCIS believes you are committing marriage fraud, the penalties can be severe.
What Are the Potential Penalties for Marriage Fraud?
Below is a partial summary of the potential penalties that come with a marriage fraud conviction.
- A prison term of up to five years
- A fine of up to $250,000
- A loss of any spousal benefits
Additionally, your spouse may be denied entry into the country, or deported to their country of origin and forbidden from returning to the United States. These are all severe penalties that can have long-term implications for you, your spouse, and your family. That’s why having an experienced criminal defense lawyer fighting your marriage fraud case is so important.
How Can a Fort Worth Marriage Fraud Lawyer Help You?
A marriage fraud lawyer can do several things to help you fight your case. They include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Negotiating directly with USCIS or the federal prosecutor on your case
- Interviewing friends and family who can speak in support of your marriage
- Filing necessary paperwork and motions with the immigration court
- Preparing a legal defense
- Representing you and your spouse in court at trial
- Keeping you apprised about the status of your case
Our firm takes a proactive approach to all of our cases. We will be responsive to your inquiries and make sure you understand the process. All of this is part of us making the most persuasive case possible that your marriage is legitimate and that you and your spouse are innocent of marriage fraud.
Do I Have to Hire a Marriage Fraud Lawyer to Fight my Case?
It’s important to remember that a charge of marriage fraud is only a charge. You are innocent until proven guilty, and you also have the right to an attorney to defend you from marriage fraud charges.
You do not have to hire a marriage fraud lawyer. The government will appoint an attorney for you. However, federal public defenders are often overworked and may lack the time and resources to mount an adequate defense on your behalf. Our marriage fraud attorneys will dedicate themselves to winning your case and bring all our firm’s resources to bear in defense of your marriage.
Are Fort Worth Marriage Fraud Lawyers Expensive?
Defending a client against a federal marriage fraud charge is not an easy task. The cost of fighting any criminal case has several variables involved. The cost of our services will depend on how much work goes into defending your marriage, and every case is different. If you would like to discuss your options for mounting a defense against marriage fraud charges, please contact our office for a case evaluation.
Our Marriage Fraud Lawyers Are Ready to Fight for You!
There are not many things in life more frightening than facing criminal charges. But the possibility of a fine and prison term is not the only consequence of a marriage fraud case. If you lose, your family could be broken up, and your spouse could be forced to return to their country of origin.
The marriage fraud attorneys at the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg are here to defend you and your marriage. You don’t have to fight the federal government by yourself. We’re here, and we want to help. Give us a call and see how we can help.
