To report marriage fraud, identify the appropriate government organization and gather information. In the US, it’s usually ICE or the FBI, in the UK it’s the UK Border Agency, and in Canada it’s CIC or CBSA. Marriage fraud is often immigration-related and can account for a quarter of all legal immigration in the US. If you suspect fraud, gather information and have a basis for your claim before filing a complaint. Victims of marriage fraud should report it to the proper agency and may want to engage a lawyer.
To report marriage fraud, you must familiarize yourself with the laws of your country and identify the appropriate government organization dealing with such business. Typically you will want to gather all possible information and then contact the responsible agency. This is usually Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) if you’re in the United States, although the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) handles some cases. In the UK, you will usually report to the UK Border Agency and in Canada you can contact Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) or the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). Marriage fraud allegations are very serious in any country that has laws against this activity, so you should make sure your suspicion is valid before filing a complaint.
Most marriage fraud cases are immigration-related and are often referred to as marriages of convenience. The aim is usually to get a spouse into the country more quickly than would otherwise be possible. In the United States, these green card marriages can account for a quarter of all legal immigration over the course of a year. Many international marriages are entirely legitimate, but can also be used to obtain citizenship. Sometimes the resident spouse is complicit in the illegal activity, although he or she may also be a victim.
If you suspect that people you know are committing marriage fraud, you should generally try to gather as much information as possible. This is not an accusation to be made lightly and some countries will even prosecute you for knowingly making false reports. When filing your complaint you should have some basis for your claim, such as spouses maintaining separate residences or other suspicious businesses. You may also need to provide their names, addresses and other important information.
You can also report marriage fraud if you are the victim. Marriage fraud is a serious crime, so if you find out you’ve been a party to it, you should generally report it to the proper agency right away. Whether you find out before or after your spouse becomes a citizen, you can still report fraudulent activity. Most countries recognize that relationships can legitimately fail, although typically they will want to investigate to determine if fraud has occurred. You may also wish to engage the services of a lawyer to ensure that your rights are protected during any investigation your report initiates.
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