Chicago Immigration Fraud Lawyer

Defense Attorney for Federal Immigration Fraud Charges Located in Chicago, IL

In the United States, illegal immigration is an issue that receives a great deal of coverage in the media, and different federal government agencies are tasked with enforcing immigration laws and detaining or deporting people who have entered the country illegally. Because of the attention that is paid to these matters, violations of immigration laws can result in federal criminal charges that may affect undocumented immigrants, U.S. citizens, or lawful permanent residents. Anyone who is accused of committing immigration fraud will need to work with an attorney who is experienced in these types of cases.

Hal M. Garfinkel is a criminal defense attorney with over 20 years of legal experience. He regularly defends clients who are facing federal charges, and he has helped defendants achieve positive outcomes in a wide variety of different types of cases. With his understanding of federal laws and his dedication to protecting the rights of defendants, he can help you determine how you can avoid a conviction or other consequences that could affect your legal status in the United States.

Federal Immigration Fraud Charges

There are multiple different types of actions that could be considered immigration fraud. In general, these cases involve using deception or false information related to the immigration process. Immigration fraud may include:

• Marriage fraud- When a U.S. citizen marries a person from another country, that person can receive a visa that will allow them to come to the United States and become a lawful permanent resident. A person may face charges of marriage fraud if their marriage was illegitimate and was intended to allow an immigrant to evade immigration laws. A person who is convicted of marriage fraud may be sentenced to up to five years in prison, fined up to $250,000, or both.
• Identity fraud- Documents may be manufactured or falsified to allow a person to enter the United States. These documents may include identification papers such as passports or visas, permits, and other immigration-related paperwork. In some cases, these documents may also be used to obtain employment or commit benefits fraud and obtain government aid or social services. A conviction for this type of immigration fraud can result in a sentence of up to 15 years in prison, and a sentence may be increased to 20 years if the illegal activity was related to drug trafficking or 25 years if the fraud was related to international terrorism. If identity fraud involved the use of someone else's personal information, a person may also be charged with identity theft.
• Immigration services fraud- A person may be accused of committing scams against immigrants or providing them with services meant to help evade immigration laws. If a person provides immigrants with forged, counterfeit, or falsified documents, they could be charged with identity fraud. If a person allegedly acted with the intent to defraud immigrants, such as by taking payment to move a person to the "front of the line" for a visa or work permit, they could face federal fraud charges.

Contact a Chicago Immigration Fraud Attorney

For U.S. citizens, accusations of immigration fraud could result in prosecution in federal courts, and a person may face serious consequences that will affect their life, finances, and freedom. Immigrants may not only face criminal charges for immigration fraud, but they may face deportation. When addressing accusations of immigration fraud, it is important to be represented by an attorney who understands the immigration laws and has experience defending against these types of charges in federal courts. Attorney Hal M. Garfinkel can provide the legal help you need in these cases, and he can help you avoid deportation or other consequences. Contact us today at 312-629-0669 to arrange a complimentary consultation. You can reach us 24 hours a day, seven days a week.