Reporting Fraud to USCIS/CBP--Worth it?

[carmel34 3,531]

Has anyone reported potential visa/immigration fraud to USCIS via their website, and did it have any impact?  I know of a situation where a foreigner outside the US intends to enter the US next month with a valid F-1 student visa, and once in the US, get married to her USC fiance, and stay and adjust status.  Would something like this even be considered helpful information to report?  Given the virus and coming furloughs, will USCIS be likely to send a notice to CBP at the intended border crossings to be on alert and ask the question, "do you intend to enter the US to get married and stay and adjust status?"  I know that USCIS has a fraud tip page on their website, but if they are unlikely to do anything for something like this--suspected future fraud, but not actually committed yet, and no hard evidence, I won't bother.  All I have is a name, likely POEs, and the situation details I've described.  I'm just looking for any opinions and experiences, as immigration fraud really bothers me when people lie to circumvent the legal process.

Edited July 10, 2020 by carmel34

[Deagle 494]

How can you or anyone prove that? Most fraud cases has been caught after the fact. As of now it is all intentions and can change at anytime. There is no solid evidence of a fraud - in my opinion. 

 

This is like reporting someone who are on their way to buy drugs. They didn't really buy the drugs yet and not even arrived. Even if they arrived, they could change their mind last minute.

Edited July 10, 2020 by Deagle

[carmel34 3,531]

2 minutes ago, Deagle said:

How can you or anyone prove that? Most fraud cases has been caught after the fact. As of now it is all intentions and can change at anytime. There is no solid evidence of a fraud - in my opinion. 

I agree, it's all intent right now, the fraud hasn't happened yet, but it will very soon so it's on my mind.  People get away with this all the time.  Her sister did the same thing a couple of years ago, entered on an F-1, said nothing at POE about getting married and staying to adjust status.  All I have is a wedding invitation and lots of social media posts, probably not enough for USCIS to want to do anything about it.

[beloved_dingo 1,932]

6 minutes ago, Deagle said:

How can you or anyone prove that? Most fraud cases has been caught after the fact. As of now it is all intentions and can change at anytime. There is no solid evidence of a fraud - in my opinion. 

 

This is like reporting someone who are on their way to buy drugs. They didn't really buy the drugs yet and not even arrived. Even if they arrived, they could change their mind last minute.

I was thinking the same. Granted, if a CBP officer checked a person's phone and saw texts discussing this plan - they wouldn't let them enter. But someone can consider breaking the rules, and then choose not to break the rules.

[Villanelle 4,121]

It would be best to report this directly to CBP at the intended entry location. You can use the general ICE reporting system but its slow and it may not reach the CBP location prior to their entry. 

[Crazy Cat 39,258]

29 minutes ago, Deagle said:

How can you or anyone prove that? Most fraud cases has been caught after the fact. As of now it is all intentions and can change at anytime. There is no solid evidence of a fraud - in my opinion. 

 

This is like reporting someone who are on their way to buy drugs. They didn't really buy the drugs yet and not even arrived. Even if they arrived, they could change their mind last minute.

To deny entry, CBP requires only suspicion of intent, not an actual act.  Therefore, the report could trigger a thorough inspection at POE arrival or an immediate denial of entry.

Edited July 10, 2020 by Lucky Cat

[carmel34 3,531]

1 minute ago, Villanelle said:

It would be best to report this directly to CBP at the intended entry location. You can use the general ICE reporting system but its slow and it may not reach the CBP location prior to their entry. 

Thanks for the suggestion, I may do this so my conscience is clear, at least I'll have done something and not just sat idly by while it happens.  The only chance to catch this is at the POE because that's where intent is established.  Once approved entry to the US, on the F-1, if getting married with intent to stay and adjust status is not questioned at all at POE, there is no fraud when AOS is filed later, so submitting evidence after the fact won't go anywhere.

[Deagle 494]

Is the person with the F-1 Visa coming here to study or just to get married or both?

If they are in relationship with someone here in the US and they are coming to study and get married then what is the problem in filing AOS?

Should they abandon their F-1 visa and miss on studies? 

[carmel34 3,531]

The proper legal way would be K-1 or CR-1, but they want to get married in August, then file AOS, so they don't have to live apart at all.  Yes, a valid F-1 permits entry if approved by CBP, but it is my understanding that doing so with intent to get married and stay in the US and adjust status, is illegal.

[carmel34 3,531]

9 minutes ago, Deagle said:

Is the person with the F-1 Visa coming here to study or just to get married or both?

If they are in relationship with someone here in the US and they are coming to study and get married then what is the problem in filing AOS?

Should they abandon their F-1 visa and miss on studies? 

Legal way would be to enter on the F-1, continue her studies, get married, then the USC spouse files an I-130 petition for a CR-1, alien spouse returns to foreign country for the visa interview, then enters on the CR-1.  Or continue their relationship in the US after she re-enters on the F-1, and her fiance files an I-129F for a K-1, and she returns to her country for the interview, etc., enters on K-1 and they get married and file for AOS after marriage in the US.  But they don't want to wait either for marriage or for a K-1 or CR-1.  They are hell-bent on getting married in August and never living one day apart after that.

Edited July 10, 2020 by carmel34

[Crazy Cat 39,258]

1 hour ago, Deagle said:

Is the person with the F-1 Visa coming here to study or just to get married or both?

If they are in relationship with someone here in the US and they are coming to study and get married then what is the problem in filing AOS?

Should they abandon their F-1 visa and miss on studies? 

The purpose of the non-immigrant visa is irrelevant. You cannot enter the US via a non-immigrant route with the intent to stay and adjust.   It is exactly the same as if someone who had a valid tourist visa.  It would be illegal for them to enter with the intent to stay and adjust status.

 

To qualify for an F-1, the person MUST have intent to return home after completion of their activities.  An F-1 is not a dual intent visa.

Edited July 10, 2020 by Lucky Cat

[aaron2020 11,651]

Stay out of this.  You have no proof.  Let USCIS deal with if they apply for AOS.

[Crazy Cat 39,258]

3 minutes ago, aaron2020 said:

Stay out of this.  You have no proof.  Let USCIS deal with if they apply for AOS.

Maybe the OP does have proof.  

[aaron2020 11,651]

1 minute ago, Lucky Cat said:

Maybe the OP does have proof.  

 

1 hour ago, carmel34 said:

Has anyone reported potential visa/immigration fraud to USCIS via their website, and did it have any impact?  I know of a situation where a foreigner outside the US intends to enter the US next month with a valid F-1 student visa, and once in the US, get married to her USC fiance, and stay and adjust status.  Would something like this even be considered helpful information to report?  Given the virus and coming furloughs, will USCIS be likely to send a notice to CBP at the intended border crossings to be on alert and ask the question, "do you intend to enter the US to get married and stay and adjust status?"  I know that USCIS has a fraud tip page on their website, but if they are unlikely to do anything for something like this--suspected future fraud, but not actually committed yet, and no hard evidence, I won't bother.  All I have is a name, likely POEs, and the situation details I've described.  I'm just looking for any opinions and experiences, as immigration fraud really bothers me when people lie to circumvent the legal process.

 

[Crazy Cat 39,258]

3 minutes ago, aaron2020 said:

 

 

Did you miss the words "situation details"???