Marriage Fraud / Sham Marriage — 5-year prison, deportation
Marriage fraud is criminal:
- 18 U.S.C. § 1546 — fraud in immigration documents
- Penalties: 5 years prison + $250,000 fine BOTH parties
- Immigrant: permanent bar to all future immigration
- USC: federal record, possible deportation if naturalized
USCIS detects fraud by:
- Separate interviews (STOKES interview if suspicious)
- Question consistency check
- Marriage timeline analysis
- Address verification (do you actually live together?)
- Financial intermingling (joint accounts, joint lease)
- Photos timeline (do they show real relationship?)
- Witness affidavits from family, friends, neighbors
- Surprise home visits in some cases
Common scam patterns USCIS knows:
- “Pay USC $20K to marry you for green card”
- Online “marriage broker” services
- Falling for someone you JUST met within months for immigration purposes
- Marrying then never living together
If you’re a real couple caught in suspicion:
- Hire experienced immigration attorney IMMEDIATELY
- Prepare comprehensive evidence of bona fide marriage
- Be honest about timeline and details
- Consider attorney attendance at interview
Report marriage fraud (anonymous OK):
- USCIS Hotline: 1-866-DHS-2-ICE
General consumer protection resources
- FTC Consumer Complaint: reportfraud.ftc.gov
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB): consumerfinance.gov/complaint
- State Attorney General (varies by state)
- Better Business Bureau: bbb.org
Related information
Last verified: 2026-05-25.
General prevention information — not legal advice. If victimized, consult attorney for options.
Related procedural information
- Consulate of your country in the US — passport renewal, consular ID, document apostille
- ITIN — file federal taxes without SSN — required regardless of immigration status
- USCIS form library — federal immigration forms (I-130, I-485, N-400, etc.)
- Find an immigration attorney — pro bono lists + AILA + BIA-recognized
- Know Your Rights — ICE encounters — constitutional protections