Marriage Fraud / Sham Marriage — 5-year prison, deportation
Sham marriage for immigration = federal crime. Up to 5 years prison + $250K fine for both parties. Plus permanent immigration ban. How USCIS detects, what to avoid.
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
Frequently asked questions
If I was victimized, can I recover the money?
How can I verify an attorney/consultant is legitimate?
I'm reporting — will I get deported?
How much does talking to a real immigration attorney cost?
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General information, not legal advice. MigrantUSA is an independent publisher and is not a law firm; using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship, and this content is not a substitute for advice from a licensed attorney about your specific situation. US federal, state, and local government procedures, fees, and forms change. Always verify current details directly with the relevant agency before acting. For immigration, tax, or other legal matters specific to your situation, consult a licensed attorney or BIA-accredited representative.