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Illegal methods of obtaining green card lead to convictions

On Behalf of | Apr 18, 2014 | U.S. Immigration Law |

The process of obtaining a green card can be time-consuming and require a great deal of patience, perseverance and paperwork. While there may be the temptation to cut corners or take any action deemed necessary to secure legal status, any actions to acquire a green card that are illegal can have some serious consequences. Anyone in Maryland who is unclear about the laws for getting a green card may want to follow the story of a group of people who are facing serious criminal charges for trying to illegally obtain a green card.

The group has been implicated in a scam that involved orchestrating marriages in exchange for of a green card. There were 28 people convicted for their role in the scam. The process entailed paying people to marry those who needed green cards.

One woman implicated in the ordeal came to the United States legally in 2003, but her visa expired. She paid a man to arrange for a fake marriage to another man in another state. The fake groom-to-be backed out of the arrangement. Authorities indicate that the woman, a nurse with a U.S. citizen child, will probably be deported backed to Kenya. Others involved have already been deported.

Crimes related to fraudulently trying to obtain documents related to immigration or a green card can carry harsh penalties or result in deportation, and such was the case in this situation. Anyone who is unclear of their status may want to be sure of where they stand and what their options are for staying in the country. Maryland residents who find themselves involved in legal matters related to immigration would be wise to know the current laws and their rights.

Source: telegram.com, “Worcester woman to be deported in green card marriage scam“, Aaron Nicodemus, April 9, 2014

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