Q: Lies and dishonesty on immigration status
During my divorce I’ve learned that my ex was actually making money from his personal business overseas while he was applying for his green card. He stated on his documents that he wasn’t earning money. Is this illegal? Can it get him deported? Is there anything I can provide to immigration to get him deported? I’ve already put in a complaint.
A:
It sounds like you are going through a difficult situation with your divorce and the revelation about your ex-husband's dishonesty regarding his income when applying for a green card.
Providing false information on immigration documents is indeed illegal. It falls under the category of immigration fraud. Knowingly misrepresenting facts on a green card application can result in severe penalties, including deportation.
However, simply filing a complaint does not guarantee any specific outcome. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will review complaints and determine if there is enough evidence to pursue an investigation and build a case. They may request additional documentation from you to substantiate the claims.
If you have clear evidence proving your ex made false statements, such as financial records, tax returns, business documents etc. from the time he applied showing he was earning foreign income he did not disclose, you can submit copies of those to USCIS to support your complaint. The more solid documentation you can provide, the stronger the case.
That said, even with strong evidence, immigration enforcement still has discretion over which cases to prioritize and pursue through to deportation. There's no way to definitely predict the outcome.
I would advise consulting with an immigration attorney who can review the specifics of your situation in more detail and advise you on the best path forward. They can help you understand the process, gather supporting evidence, and set realistic expectations for potential outcomes. Wishing you all the best as you navigate this challenging situation.
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