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What Happens if You are Accused of Immigration Fraud?
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Prosecuting immigration fraud is a top priority for the United States government. People who attempt to enter the country under false pretenses or use the system to gain benefits they are not entitled to could find themselves in serious trouble. Not everyone who immigrates to the United States does so with bad intentions. Immigration fraud can cover a variety of different scenarios. It can range from filing documents with false information to presenting false documents or entering into a sham marriage to get a Green Card.
If you have been accused of immigration fraud, it is crucial to retain a Chicago immigration attorney right away.
Types of Immigration Fraud
Document and benefits fraud are two of the main types of immigration fraud. Fraud is essentially when a person knowingly makes a material misstatement of fact with an intention to deceive another party. These crimes are vigorously prosecuted because the government believes they pose the biggest threat to the public and national safety due to a possible connection to immigration-related crimes like smuggling and human trafficking.
Document fraud deals with the altering, manufacturing, selling, or counterfeiting of documents related to identity. It can sometimes be linked with identity theft of a real person who is either deceased or still alive. Benefits fraud deals with someone lying on his or her petition or the application for the purpose of getting immigration benefits. Some of these claims are hard to prosecute and can take years to resolve.
Possible Defenses to Immigration Fraud
It is important to present the best defense possible so you are not convicted of immigration fraud. Some of these issues can be avoided by retaining a Chicago immigration attorney from the start. Even simple mistakes can be considered fraud, so having a skilled attorney through the entire process can make a huge difference. Some potential defenses can include:
- Lack of Intent: For someone living in another country, it is not uncommon to seek assistance from someone inexperienced who gives bad advice or provides inaccurate documentation.
- There is Proper Documentation: Sometimes a language barrier can keep someone from understanding the entire process. If there are charges where there is proper documentation in place, you need an attorney who can ensure the right information gets entered into evidence.
- Lack of Knowledge: One defense is lack of knowledge that any type of fraud was committed.
Consequences of Immigration Fraud
There are some serious consequences if you are found to have committed immigration fraud. You could be barred from entering the country, or you could be deported. If you lie under oath or make a false statement on any of your immigration documents, you can be found guilty of perjury, as well. This could carry a prison sentence and hefty fines.
Retaining a Chicago Immigration Attorney
To avoid being accused of committing immigration fraud, be sure you are retaining a skilled and knowledgeable Chicago immigration attorney who has experience providing the type of assistance you need. At Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC, we have been helping people with their immigration-related needs since 1974. Contact us today at 312-332-2550 to schedule a consultation.
What Our Clients Say
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I had a wonderful experience working with Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC. From start to finish, the team was professional, knowledgeable, and truly dedicated to guiding me through every step of the process. They made what could have been a stressful situation feel smooth and manageable, always answering questions quickly and keeping me updated. I especially want to thank Khabit for his outstanding support—he was patient, detail-oriented, and went above…
Many thanks to attorney Kevin A Raica and his assistant Rafael Rodriguez for all their help. My immigration case went very smoothly and quickly.
We worked with Kevin Raica from Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC, and I can confidently say he went above and beyond for us. Our process was very long and at times overwhelming, but Kevin guided us every step of the way with professionalism, patience, and dedication. He was always available to answer our questions, explained everything clearly, and made sure we understood our options at each stage. What stood out…
A family friend referred me to work with Maya Flores at Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC to help me with my U.S. naturalization. Despite the current immigration tension, Maya helped make the process smooth and her familiarity with procedure helped ease my anxiety. She submitted the citizenship application on my behalf and let me know what to expect. I decided to retain her service for the civics interview as well,…
I really want to thank Justin and Kamila; they are the best. I waited almost 20 years and no one could help me get my green card and in 4 months they helped me get my permit, and I got my green card in less then 4 months. They are the best. I will always be grateful for what they did for me, thank you Justin and Kamila!!!!
I am writing this review to express my deepest gratitude for the hard work on our case by our Immigration Attorney, Lauren McClure and her Paralegal, Kamila Lada. My Green Card was approved! I know this wouldn't have been possible without their expertise and dedication. They both were extremely helpful, responsive, and guided us through every step of the way. Lauren took the time to train us for our interview…
I am incredibly grateful to Mr. Burton for his outstanding legal assistance in my immigration case, from my first consultation he heard me patiently demonstrating exceptional professionalism, expertise, and a genuine commitment to my case. Immigration process can be overwhelming and stressful, but he and his team provided clear guidance every step of the way, always answering my questions promptly and reassuring me with their deep expertise. Thanks to their…
I had an outstanding experience working with Brittni Rivera. From our very first consultation, she demonstrated deep expertise, professionalism, and genuine care for my case. Navigating immigration processes can be incredibly stressful, but Brittni made the entire journey much more manageable and transparent. She were always responsive to my questions, provided clear guidance at every step, and never made me feel like just another case. Thanks to her hard work…
Highly recommend this firm. I had the pleasure of working with Lauren McClure and she is absolutely the best. She was very helpful and walked me through every step of the process, she is patient and she got the job done. I am very grateful with her and her team for helping me with the process of my case. Thank you so much.
I have worked with Kevin Raica for my VAWA application. Let me tell you he has been AMAZING. Unlike other lawyers Kevin has always went above and beyond for me. Kevin is not in it for the money he is in it to HELP people and make a difference. He has walked me through the entire process and always answers any questions I have no matter what. This law firm…
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