Marriage provides many benefits but is far more than a business transaction. Sometimes someone who is not a United States citizen marries a U.S. citizen to gain immigration benefits. One or both people may be convicted of marriage fraud in this situation.
If you are facing marriage fraud charges, you may want to seek help from a criminal defense attorney. A McKinney marriage fraud lawyer from the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg can help you with your case.
What Is Marriage Fraud?
Marriage fraud is a federal crime. It happens when a couple marries solely for immigration benefits. For example, a non-U.S. citizen may marry a U.S. citizen to get Legal Permanent Resident (LPR) status, also called a green card.
Marriage fraud can happen in various circumstances. Sometimes, both members know they are committing fraud and marry for personal gain or benefits. For example, a U.S. citizen might agree to marry an alien in exchange for money.
Other times, one member of the couple may be unaware of the fraud. For example, the U.S. citizen may believe the marriage is legitimate. However, their spouse does not love them and only married them to get a green card. U.S. citizens and non-U.S. citizens can be charged with marriage fraud.
Actions That May Lead Authorities To Suspect Marriage Fraud
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) can be alerted of fraud through several avenues. For example, they may detect suspicious behavior or activity that indicates marriage fraud when the couple applies for green card status for the non-citizen spouse.
No single action is enough to prove marriage fraud, but several components can lead to suspicion and investigation. The following actions may warrant a marriage fraud investigation:
- Lack of evidence that the couple shares a life together; for example, if the couple doesn’t live together or have shared experiences
- Lack of paperwork that shows joint finances, such as tax forms or bills
- Drastic differences between the couple, such as a large age gap or language barrier
- Conflicting information provided during interviews
USCIS takes marriage fraud seriously and has a tip form someone can fill out if they suspect a case of marriage fraud. Those facing marriage fraud charges may need appropriate legal help.
How Can A McKinney Marriage Fraud Lawyer Help Me With My Case?
A McKinney marriage fraud lawyer can help defend you in your marriage fraud case. Getting help from an attorney may impact your case’s outcome. A McKinney marriage fraud attorney should have experience helping with these specific cases and be aware of the laws and regulations applicable to your McKinney marriage fraud case.
In general, a marriage fraud lawyer serving McKinney can help you in the following areas:
- Review the charges against you and the unique circumstances of your case
- Give confidential legal advice about proceeding with your marriage fraud case
- Collect evidence in your defense, such as proof of marriage legitimacy if you choose to plead not guilty
- Represent you in court and present evidence in your defense
- Work to get your charges or sentence reduced
- Keep you updated about the progression of your case and answer any questions you have about your case
Penalties For Marriage Fraud
According to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), if you are convicted of marriage fraud, you may face a fine of up to $250,000 and up to five years in prison. As a U.S. citizen, a marriage fraud conviction can make further interactions with USCIS more difficult. You could also face additional criminal charges, such as harboring an alien or conspiracy. With these charges, you may face additional punishments.
Foreign nationals also risk deportation or additional charges such as visa fraud. In addition, it can be difficult for them to enter the U.S. again after a marriage fraud conviction. The exact charges and consequences will be different in each circumstance.
Why Should You Ask The Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg To Help with Your McKinney Marriage Fraud Case?
Our legal team at the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg takes our clients’ criminal defense cases seriously. Many clients have been highly satisfied with the results of our firm. Here’s how just a few people have reviewed us:
“I am very grateful for the services that my family received from this law office. I chose this attorney because of the reviews after searching for few days for an attorney. I started second guessing my choice but I realized this was not an easy case but they listened and worked hard to get my son a satisfactory outcome that he may [have] not gotten with a different attorney. This office cares about their clients. Thank you, I will always refer this office to anyone that [asks].” -KS
“They really know how to do [their] job right and will get you the best deal possible.” -Julia
“Great lawyer and great staff, they were very helpful in my legal issue. I would recommend Mr. Isenberg to anyone looking for a criminal attorney.” -Naveed
“The whole Isenberg staff is great, and they stood by me [throughout] my case. Once Mr. Isenberg quotes you a price to handle your case, he handles your case for that price. Thank you Mr. Isenberg, Mrs. Britney, Mrs. Abby, Mrs. Leah, Mrs. Rosa, and Mrs. Judge Tracey Holmes for giving me a second chance. If I could rate the Isenberg Law Firm higher than 5 stars, they would be the highest amount of stars available. Thank you again!” -Derrick
Get The Legal Help You Deserve Today, Beginning With A Free Consultation
The legal team at the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg can help you with your marriage fraud case in the McKinney area. Our law firm will work to build a solid defense case to help you reach the best possible outcome. A McKinney marriage fraud lawyer from our team will represent you and keep you updated every step of the way.
Working with our firm starts with your initial consultation. This consultation allows us to review your case’s facts recommend how to proceed. Contact us today to get started.
