Deciding to spend the rest of your life with someone by taking vows is not an easy decision to make – so long as it is being done for the right reasons. However, there are some people who seek the bonds of marriage simply to gain their citizenship into the United States.

Marriage fraud is a real thing and is not looked upon favorably. Rather it is punishable by law if the fake marriage is found out and can come with some hefty penalties and possible long-term consequences.

Let’s dive into the consequences of marriage fraud.

What is Marriage Fraud?

Marriage fraud occurs when a U.S. citizen marries a foreign-born person for the sole purpose of receiving a green card. This can occur for a multitude of reasons (financial gain, criminal activity, etc.).

There are a few different types of marriage fraud that occurs — according to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement — including:

1. “Mail Order” marriage – it doesn’t matter whether or not either party recognized it was fraudulent.
2. A U.S. citizen is paid to marry a foreign individual who already lives in the U.S.
3. A foreign national marries a U.S. citizen without informing them that it is for fraudulent purposes.

Penalties for Committing Marriage Fraud

If a marriage is discovered to be a fraud, then not just the foreign individual but also the U.S. citizen will suffer the penalties that stem from marriage fraud. The penalties for marriage fraud can include:

• Deportation – Upon being charged with marriage fraud, the immigrant will be deported back to their home country, have their green card revoked, and possibly damage their eligibility to receive a green card in the future.
• Fines – Up to $250,000 which can apply to both parties.
• Jail Time – Up to five years which can apply to both parties.
• Additional penalties – Anyone found guilty of marriage fraud can also have additional charges tacked on, like harboring an alien and visa fraud, which carry their own fines and sentences.

What Other Consequences Can Happen?

Aside from the most obvious consequences of entering into a fake marriage, there are some less obvious, yet equally dangerous, ones that citizens should be made aware of. If you enter into a fake marriage, just note that the foreign spouse will now likely have access to all of the citizen’s personal and sensitive information including bank accounts, retirement accounts, social security numbers, and investment accounts.

Even worse, terrorists and other criminals who pose a threat to the United States sometimes use marriage fraud as a means to gain access to the U.S. They can then use the marriage as a means of hiding who they are, open bank accounts, gain employment, and access government buildings with the intention of continuing their criminal activity. Without knowing it, citizens who engage in fake marriages could be aiding terrorists and criminals and they will suffer the consequences along with them.

Final Thoughts

Entering into a fake marriage with the intention of getting an individual a green card is a serious offense and is severely punished in the United States. While some are surely done with the best intentions, it is always best to avoid entering into them especially if you truly don’t know the person. If you believe that you have entered into a fake marriage, then it is crucial that you contact an immigration law firm, like the Florida Immigration Law Counsel, who can assist you with your case. A marriage is a union between two people and isn’t an easy decision to make, so if you do decide to marry someone, make sure that you understand what you are getting into.