All articles tagged with #immigration fraud
USCIS is strengthening screening processes and updating policies to address immigration fraud, particularly false claims of U.S. citizenship, emphasizing serious consequences for deceitful practices and clarifying the application of legal standards under the Matter of Zhang decision.
A Mexican woman in Los Angeles was charged with orchestrating a fake kidnapping to garner sympathy and solicit donations, falsely claiming she was abducted by masked men. The scheme involved fabricating stories and photos, diverting law enforcement resources, and attempting to benefit financially through a GoFundMe campaign. She faces federal charges including conspiracy and making false statements, with potential prison sentences.
Five Louisiana men, including four law enforcement officers, were indicted for a scheme involving false police reports to fraudulently obtain U visas for aliens, with allegations of bribery and conspiracy spanning over nine years. The scheme involved producing fake reports of armed robberies, with some officers accepting bribes to facilitate the fraud, leading to serious federal charges and potential lengthy prison sentences.
A former Syrian prison head, Samir Ousman Alsheikh, has been charged in the US with torture and conspiracy to commit torture for his actions at Damascus Central Prison from 2005 to 2008. Arrested earlier this year for immigration fraud, Alsheikh allegedly inflicted severe pain on prisoners under Bashar al-Assad's regime. If convicted, he faces significant prison time. Alsheikh denies the charges, calling them politically motivated. This case highlights ongoing efforts to hold former Syrian officials accountable for human rights abuses.
A former Syrian military official, Samir Ousman al-Sheikh, has been charged with torture and conspiracy to commit torture after being arrested in California for visa fraud. Al-Sheikh, who oversaw Syria's Adra Prison from 2005 to 2008, allegedly ordered severe physical and mental abuse of prisoners. His arrest highlights the US's commitment to holding war criminals accountable, even for crimes committed abroad. Al-Sheikh denies the charges, calling them politically motivated. If convicted, he faces significant prison time for both torture and immigration fraud.
Eric Nshimiye, a Rwandan-born Ohio man, has been arrested and charged with concealing his involvement in the 1994 Rwandan genocide to enter the United States as a refugee and gain U.S. citizenship. Prosecutors allege that he participated in the massacre and later sought to derail investigations into his actions by lying at an immigration fraud trial. Nshimiye's arrest comes four years after the trial conviction of his former classmate, Jean Leonard Teganya, for similar charges.
Canada will increase the verification process for university acceptance letters in order to prevent immigration fraud targeting international students. Starting in December, post-secondary institutions will be required to confirm each applicant's acceptance letter directly with Canadian immigration authorities. Additionally, Canada plans to establish a framework for "recognized institutions" in 2024, which will provide better services and support for international students. The country relies on immigration to drive its economy and support its aging population, with international education contributing over C$22 billion annually and supporting more than 200,000 jobs.
Canadian authorities have charged an Indian man, Brijesh Mishra, for issuing fraudulent university letters of acceptance to Indian students and other immigration-related criminal offences. Mishra is facing five charges under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. Canada is a popular destination for international students since it is relatively easy to obtain a work permit. Earlier this year, several students from India had been served deportation papers for using forged documents to enter Canada in an alleged immigration scheme.
The US Supreme Court heard arguments on Monday on whether a federal law that prohibits inducing unlawful immigration for financial gain violates the First Amendment. The case involves Helaman Hansen, who defrauded 471 noncitizens of more than $1.8m by enrolling them in a nonexistent program that promised US citizenship through adult adoption. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of Hansen, declaring that the federal law making it a crime to induce unlawful immigration sweeps up a substantial amount of speech that is protected by the First Amendment. The government appealed, and on Monday Deputy Solicitor General Brian Fletcher sought to thread a tiny legal needle: With one hand he made strategic concessions, while with the other he sought to uphold the statute.