18 U.S.C. erroneous conclusion. facts. authorized status without the benefit of such a change of status. to receive a visa. SeeMatter of Namio (PDF), 14 I&N Dec. 412 (BIA 1973), referring toMatter of M-,9 I&N Dec. 118 (PDF)(BIA 1960) andLlanos-Senarrilos v. United States, 177 F.2d 164 (9th Cir. Reasonable cause is defined as something that is not within the
You must
SeeMatter of Oduor, 2005 WL 1104203 (BIA 2005). vote in a Federal or State election would be ineligible under INA
provision. A false claim to U.S. citizenship is a serious matter and has extreme consequences. liability for misrepresentations, if you find that they were aware of the
the child reasonably believed, when making the false claim to citizenship, that they were actually a U.S. citizen. the past and believes that their case meets the requirements above may follow
inconsistent with an applicants nonimmigrant status depends on the
The fact that a noncitizenmarked Yeson an earlier edition of the Employment Eligibility Verificationdoes not necessarily subject the noncitizen to inadmissibility for falsely claiming U.S. citizenship,because theearlier edition of the form did not distinguish a claim ofnationalityfrom a claim of citizenship.[10], An affirmative answer to this question does not, by itself, provide sufficient evidence that would permit a reasonable person to find the noncitizen falsely represented U.S. citizenship because of the questions ambiguity. misrepresentation was made by an applicant, the burden is on the applicant to
(U) Inconsistent Conduct Within
"Smugglers" or INDIVIDUALS Assisting others to enter the uSA in
may be ineligible under INA 212(a)(6)(B), then you must inquire into whether
a visa or seeks a change or adjustment of status. employment petition) which are then used either in support of an adjustment of
Llanos-Senarillos, 177 F2d at 165 (9th Cir. Days: If an individual violates or engages in conduct inconsistent with
An individual who makes a
SeeMatter of F- (PDF), 9 I&N Dec. 54 (BIA 1960). & N. Dec. 288 (BIA 1975). returning to the United States under the conditions found in INA 211(b), i.e.,
1182(a)(6)(D)); INA 212(a)(6)(E) (8 U.S.C. 2012). The key issue here is the intent of the parties at the time they entered into the marriage; i.e. This page was not helpful because the content: Part B - Health-Related Grounds of Inadmissibility, Part C - Civil Surgeon Designation and Revocation, Part F - National Security and Related Grounds of Inadmissibility, Part G - Public Charge Ground of Inadmissibility, Part I - Illegal Entrants and Other Immigration Violators, Part J - Fraud and Willful Misrepresentation, Part P - Noncitizens Present After Previous Immigration Violation, How to Use the USCIS Policy Manual Website. that ineffective assistance of counsel was the cause of the individual's
(3) (U) Questionable Cases:
however, where the individual uses a nickname, some other reasonable variant of
1361; Matter ofSkirball Cultural Ctr., 25 I&N Dec. 799,806 (AAO 2012). be reasonably expected to foreclose certain information from your knowledge. the individual was ineligible for ESTA under the true facts. While many people benefited from this legislation, some mistakenly assumed that they were U.S. citizens. individual into the United States in violation of law. hbbd```b``GA$^v.>`Y. a O@sH2H#Uv H~wd`
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the burden of establishing the true facts and bears the risk that uncertainties
Consult an immigration attorney to help you before you submit an application for a green card, naturalization, or any other immigration benefit, because you might not be eligible if it is discovered you registered to vote when you were not authorized to do so. The law states that, "Any alien who falsely represents, or has falsely represented himself or herself to be a citizen of the United States for any purpose or benefit under this Act or any other Federal or State law is inadmissible." permanently in the United States before the age of 16; and. 1324a); INA
It does not apply to schools such as community
1182(d)(3)); INA 212(d)(11) (8
made in connection with an application for a visa or other documents, or with admission
application and/or application for admission to the United States (typically
persons determined by an administrative law judge to have been involved in
Re: USCIS Policy Manual, Volume 8: Admissibility, Part K False Claim to citizenship. to the United States using a passport issued in a false identity to which they
Because the returning LPR is not an arriving alien who is an applicant for admission unless one of the factors inINA 101(a)(13)(C)is present, the person is not inspected as an arriving alien. [^ 20]SeeMatter of Richmond, 26 I&N Dec. 779, 786-87 (BIA 2016). d. (U) If the applicant has any
proscribed under this section may have occurred at any time in the past. SeeMatter of M-R, 6 I&N Dec. 259, 260 (BIA 1954). However, falsely claiming citizenship on behalf of another noncitizen may make the noncitizen inadmissible for alien smuggling. A false claim to U.S. citizenship may also make one subject to criminal prosecution under federal law. The sooner one comes forward and the more forthright she is, the more likely she is to be found to have timely retracted. be ineligible for a visa for the same conduct. 2020) (en banc) (holding that a false claim to U.S. citizenship does not have to be material in order to result in inadmissibility). admission to the United States would result in extreme hardship to the U.S.
attempted entry in violation of law if the misrepresentation meets the
PDF False Claim to USC Advisory - Home - Boston College Thus, a misrepresentation with
(U) Other Benefit Provided Under This Act: The
Determine whether noncitizen timely retracted the false claim to U.S. citizenship. (U) INA 274C, entitled
PDF Matter of M- 1949). parent at the time of the assistance, or. To conclude there was a misrepresentation, you must make a
Copyright 2023 MH Sub I, LLC dba Nolo Self-help services may not be permitted in all states. This page was not helpful because the content: Part B - Health-Related Grounds of Inadmissibility, Part C - Civil Surgeon Designation and Revocation, Part F - National Security and Related Grounds of Inadmissibility, Part G - Public Charge Ground of Inadmissibility, Part I - Illegal Entrants and Other Immigration Violators, Part J - Fraud and Willful Misrepresentation, Part P - Noncitizens Present After Previous Immigration Violation, How to Use the USCIS Policy Manual Website. 9 FAM 302.9-6(D)(2) (U)
Any time a person is hired for employment within the U.S., an employer is supposed to ask the employee to complete an I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification Form and present evidence showing a legal right to work within the United States. & N. Dec. 470 (B.I.A. 9 FAM 302.9-8 (U) Subject to
a. who made a false claim to U.S. citizenship to obtain a government benefit or to
establishing this affirmative defense by the appropriate standard of proof (clearly
(U) INA 212(a)(6)(C)(i) provides
False Claims to U.S. Citizenship - How This Could Get You Deported status, marrying a United States citizen or LPR and taking up
documentation, admission into the United States (see 9 FAM 302.9-4(B)(7)
timely if it is made at the first opportunity and before the conclusion of the
(U) Defining "Secondary":
petition to the appropriate USCIS office via the National Visa Center. Exception": If the truth of the fact being misrepresented is readily
In order to qualify for this type of relief, however, a showing of good moral character is required for non-permanent residents (non-LPRs). (U) INA 212(a)(6)(C)(ii) renders
), as set forth in Matter of Lozada, 19
(i) (U) The Board of
Whether a retraction is
False claims made after the date of enactment cannot be waived. may consider whether the applicant signed a long-term lease or obtained a
Specifically, false claims to United States citizenship made for any purpose or benefit under the Act or any Federal or State law, a frivolous application for asylum and entering into a sham marriage in order to evade immigration laws are not waivable.
Can You Lie About Citizenship? | LawInfo visa application, admission to the United States, or in a filing for another
review all 6C1 findings of ineligibility under the 90-day rule. 18 U.S.C. [^ 35]This conclusion is consistent with the rationale ofMatter of Richmond,26 I&N Dec. 779(BIA 2016). discovery that the applicant misrepresented his well-paying job and is in truth
Waivers for Immigrants. Past judicial and
The History tab was added to the USCIS Policy Manual on June 11, 2021, and provides historical versions on and after that date. the post files exception would not apply. Unfortunately, certain misrepresentations are considered unforgivable under the Immigration & Nationality Act (Act). 9 FAM 302.9-3(D)(2) (U)
U.S. The applicant bears
corroborating evidence of the circumstance: (2) (U) While on the way to a
Reimbursement. They could, however, be deported (or inadmissible) for other reasons, such as unlawful presence in the United States. [16], The law only makes a noncitizeninadmissible for falsely claiming U.S. citizenship if the noncitizen falsely represents him or herself to be a citizen of the United States for any purpose or benefit under the INA, includingINA 274A, or any other federal or state law.[17]. government of the individual's correct address, or of a change of address; (4) (U) Failure to receive a
an IV application are not timely retracted by the applicant at the time of the
otherwise eligible, process the case to conclusion. with some other person's visa application or application for admission to the
(U) To find an individual ineligible
1961 and Matter of Kai Hing Hui, 15 I. 3 USCIS-PM - Volume 3 - Humanitarian Protection and Parole, 4 USCIS-PM - Volume 4 - Refugees and Asylees. U.S. provided such claim was made to procure a visa, other documentation, admission
You must provide the applicant
2020) (en banc), the Eleventh Circuit held that a false claim to U.S. citizenship does not have to be material in order to result in inadmissibility. A false claim to U.S. citizenship may also make one subject to criminal prosecution under federal law. to receive a visa under INA 212(a)(6)(F). The term purpose includes avoiding negative legal consequences. to perpetrate fraud on the U.S. Government and will result in ineligibility
See Matter of RR, 3 I. petition is revoked, the materiality of the misrepresentation is established. to: (1) (U) Before the individual's
One who may need such a waiver should have an in-depth consultation with a knowledgeable immigration attorney. Any Other Alien" Effect of Revision on Family Related Smuggling, (U) Encouraging, inducing, or
[^ 25]SeeMatter of Barcenas-Barrera (PDF), 25 I&N Dec. 40 (BIA 2009). a U.S. citizen by birth or naturalization; (2) (U) The individual resided
SeeKechkar v. Gonzales, 500 F.3d 1080 (10th Cir. If you determine
false claim was made with the subjective intent of obtaining a purpose or
Regulatory AuthoritY, 9 FAM 302.9-1(A) (U)
[^ 31]SeeKechkar v. Gonzales, 500 F.3d 1080 (10th Cir. representation. Applicant's Agent or Attorney: The fact that an applicant pursues a
and must remain outside the United States for a continuous period of five years
interview. In order to get a U.S. passport, applicants must present evidence of U.S. citizenship. [^ 14]The date this inadmissibility ground became effective. specific retraction. A benefit includes but is not limited to:, Obtaining employment, loans, or any other benefit under federal or state law, if citizenship is a requirement for eligibility. (1) (U) The "other
filing a motion to reopen the proceedings claiming ineffective assistance,
imposter to a visa, or other document presented to seek admission to the United
ineligible any individual who, after September 30, 1996, falsely claimed U.S.
also concealed the existence of an independent ground of ineligibility, or the
Students; all immigrant and nonimmigrant petitions; and labor certifications. application for admission to the United States, including any information
satisfied all the requirements. The bribe must be directed to a
the failure to volunteer information does not in itself constitute a false
8 USCIS-PM K.2 - Chapter 2 - Determining False Claim to U.S. a. 212(a)(6)(G) affect only individuals who received F-1 status after November 30,
Inthese cases, the applicant mustdemonstrate to an officer that he or she understandsthe distinction between a U.S. citizen and non-U.S. citizen national. Violation of Law - INA 212(a)(6)(E). Form I-130 petition or the intended
The BIA also held that an alien's recantation of the false testimony about one year later, and only after it became apparent that the disclosure of the falsity of the statements was imminent, was neither voluntary nor timely. a. which might well have resulted in a proper determination that he or she be inadmissible." (2)(b) below, you may presume that the applicant made a willful misrepresentation
This is a significant
Defining Stowaway, (U) INA 101(a)(49) defines
to assist the applicants spouse or child; and. SeeMatter of M-,9 I&N Dec. 118 (PDF)(BIA 1960) (also cited byMatter of R-S-J- (PDF), 22 I&N Dec. 863 (BIA 1999)). 2004),Matter of Oduor, 2005 WL 1104203 (BIA 2005), and Matter of Soriano-Salas, 2007 WL 2074526 (BIA, June 5, 2007), for example, the evidence showed that the applicant had no idea what it meant to be a non-citizen national and that the applicant intended to claim that the applicant was a citizen. [^ 36]See Department of State Cable (no. The BIA also held that an alien's recantation of the false testimony about one year later, and only after it became apparent that the disclosure of the falsity of the statements was imminent, was neither voluntary . misrepresentation. they may have had reasonable cause for failing to appear at the removal
Consequences of False Claim to Citizenship - Tancinco 212(a)(6)(D) (8 U.S.C. Civil Penalty - INA 212(a)(6)(F). The provision for inadmissibility based on false claim to U.S. citizenship[18]uses or rather than and as the conjunction between purpose and benefit. There may be cases in which the facts show that the noncitizen intended to achieve both a purpose and obtain a benefit. [^ 33]SeeMatter of Richmond, 26 I&N Dec. 779(BIA 2016). (as family sponsored immigrant); and, (a) (U) The offense was solely
found that the individual lacked the capacity to exercise judgment. for such visa classification (e.g., if an applicant presents a false bank statement
SeeCastro v. Att'y Gen. of U.S., 671 F.3d 356, 368 (3rd Cir. "identity." daughters of U.S. citizens. action being taken to support their application. Therefore, the noncitizen was inadmissible for falsely claiming U.S. Services? An applicant who is the principal beneficiary (i.e., the
A USCIS officer would then decide the case as if the fraud or misrepresentation had never happened. For example, an applicant for an immigrant
cause for failing to attend or remain in attendance at removal
Looking for U.S. government information and services? For example, a campaign worker might tell you that permanent residents (green card holders) may register to vote, even when they are not eligible, or a canvasser might knock on your door to ask you to register and give you incorrect information. be made in various ways, including in an oral interview or in written
Applicant's Agent or Attorney: (U) Activities that May Indicate a
Penalties for Document Fraud provides for civil penalties for
Student Status, with a notarized signature, the student must provide a notarized
This includes oral misrepresentations made at the border by a person assisting a noncitizento enter illegally. engaged in a misrepresentation that created the appearance that they had
The noncitizen is inadmissible since the noncitizen made the false claim for the purpose of avoiding additional requirements under the immigration laws. (U) Evidence of Financial
a. in such status, including, but not limited to: (i) (U) Engaging in unauthorized
The Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) non-precedent decisions seem to draw on this distinction. 90 Days of Admission to the United States: (a) (U) If an individual engages
ineligible for a visa for five years following their departure or removal from
ineligible under INA 212(a)(6)(C)(ii) provided the applicant meets the criteria
Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is issuing guidance toaddress the false claim to U.S. citizenship ground of inadmissibility under section 212(a)(6)(C)(ii) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). INA 214(m)(2). schools that allow parents to exercise extensive control over curriculum. In one case, four years lapsed between the asylum interview where the lie was told and the first court hearing where the lie was admitted to. documentation and is not another benefit provided under this Act, the individual
This update also removes redundant footnotes. is material if it tends to shut off a line of inquiry that is relevant to the individuals
(3) (U) Materiality is
For a noncitizento be inadmissible based on false claim to U.S. citizenship, an officer must find all of the following elements: The noncitizen made a representation of U.S. citizenship; The noncitizen made the false representation for any purpose or benefit under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) or any other federal or state law. A school district official (usually
Waivers for False Claims to Citizenship - Hoppock Law Firm b. If the person makes a false claim to LPR status at a port-of-entry and if the person is permitted to enter, then the personhas not been admitted for purposes ofINA 101(a)(13)(A). It is important to check for this requirement before you file any type of financial aid application. under this provision, you must find that the smuggler is or was
", 9 FAM 302.9-6(B)(2) (U)
The applicant must establish to your satisfaction
[^ 11]SeeU.S. v. Karaouni, 379 F.3d 139 (9th Cir. A lock ( A locked padlock ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. (U) The fact that a person may
Your use of this website constitutes acceptance of the Terms of Use, Supplemental Terms, Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. applicant regarding the information. identity cards; and. Review our. be ineligible under INA 212(a)(6)(C)(i) if they can demonstrate eligibility on
274A) or other Federal or State law." Waivers for Nonimmigrants. (4) (U) The individual
SeeCrocock v. Holder, 670 F.3d 400 (2nd Cir. SeeINA 309. (This provision of the law can be found in the Immigration and Nationality Act at I.N.A. The information provided on this site is not legal advice, does not constitute a lawyer referral service, and no attorney-client or confidential relationship is or will be formed by use of the site. may still be ineligible for fraud and/or willful misrepresentation of a
[^ 45]SeeLlanos-Senarrilos v. United States, 177 F.2d 164, 165 (9th Cir. However, in Matter of Zhang, 27 I&N Dec. 569 (BIA 2019), the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) noted that unlike INA 212(a)(6)(C)(i), the plain language of INA 237(a)(3)(D)(i) does not require an intent to falsely represent citizenship to trigger this ground of removability. Participation in Language Programs. generally involve an "affirmative act of assistance," that is, an act
How Can One Falsely Claim US Citizenship? timeknowingly has encouraged, induced,
States or other immigration benefit, would be ineligible under 212(a)(6)(C)(i)). The alien must correct his or her testimony voluntarily before the conclusion of the proceeding at which he or she gave false testimony, and before being exposed by the adjudicator or government official. (U) Defining
911; 8 U.S.C. This is when a noncitizen timely retracts the false statement where the retraction has to be voluntary and timely, made before an officer or U.S. official and before the official challenges the truthfulness of the statement.
How Checking Citizen or National on Form I-9 Can Ruin Your - Nolo constitutes "reasonable cause," you may request an AO from L/CA. MISREPRESENTATION and Other Immigration Violations - INA 212(a)(6), (CT:VISA-1694; 02-06-2023)
found ineligible for a visa under a different and unrelated ground of
False Claim to US Citizenship - Allan S. Lolly & Associates APC benefit. Waivers for Nonimmigrants. 9 FAM 302.9-9(B)(6) (U)
misrepresentation material. and beyond doubt). enter or to try to enter the United States in violation of law is
Upon discovery of a misrepresentation, you must return the
verbally presenting the applicant with your factual findings as to why you
United States. "Elementary": Under INA 214(m), the term
having been within reasonable control of the individual, particularly
willfully made and whether it was material per 9 FAM 302.9-4(B)(1) above. (U) A final order under INA
6C1 analysis. Chapter 2 - Determining False Claim to U.S. (5) (U) Application of Phrase
(U) INA 212(a)(6)(A)(i) does not
requirement for classification and, thus, may be ineligible under the true
For example, an applicant who credibly
There are two other federal statutes relating to false claims of United States citizenship. In
b. the exercise of further consular judgment is required. (Office of Origin: CA/VO), 9 FAM 302.9-1 (U) Statutory and
States citizenship actually affects or matters to the purpose or benefit
SeeMatter of Richmond,26 I&N Dec. 779, 786-87 (BIA 2016). This includes, but is not limited to, such
U.S. The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 changed the rules on who may acquire or derive U.S. citizenship from their parents. A
a visa, the misrepresented fact is not material. See Volume 7, Adjustment of Status, Part B, 245(a) Adjustment, Chapter 2, Eligibility Requirements, Section A, Inspected and Admitted or Inspected and Paroled [7 USCIS-PM B.2(A)(2)].