Chicago Visa Fraud Defense Lawyer

Understanding Federal Visa Fraud Criminal Charges: Statutes, Penalties, and Legal Implications

Visa fraud is a serious criminal offense in the United States, and being found guilty can result in harsh penalties, including imprisonment and deportation. This page provides an in-depth look into federal visa fraud criminal charges, the statutes governing these charges, the penalties involved, and why legal representation is crucial for anyone facing federal fraud accusations.

Federal Statute on Visa Fraud

Visa fraud is primarily governed by federal law, under 8 U.S.C. § 1324c.

The statute makes it unlawful to:

Forge, counterfeit, alter, or falsely make any immigration document.
Use, attempt to use, possess, obtain, accept, or receive any forged, counterfeit, altered, or falsely made immigration document.
Use or attempt to use another individual’s immigration document.
Use or attempt to use an immigration document issued to another person.

Elements of Federal Visa Fraud

For a conviction under 8 U.S.C. § 1324c, the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that:

The Document Is Fraudulent: The visa, permit, or other immigration documents were forged, counterfeit, or falsely made.
Intent: The defendant knowingly used or attempted to use the fraudulent document.
Misrepresentation: The false document was used to deceive a U.S. government agency or other relevant institutions.

Penalties for Visa Fraud

Imprisonment: Those convicted can face imprisonment for up to 15 or 25 years depending on the specific subsection under which they are charged.
Fines: Financial penalties can also be severe, often exceeding tens of thousands of dollars.
Deportation: Non-U.S. citizens found guilty of visa fraud are generally subject to deportation and may be barred from re-entering the United States.

Possible Legal Defenses

Lack of Knowledge: One potential defense is that the accused did not know the visa or document was fraudulent. Lack of intent to deceive is crucial for this defense.
Mistaken Identity: In some cases, the defense may argue that the accused is not the person who committed the visa fraud.
Entrapment: This defense is less common but may be applicable if law enforcement coerced the defendant into committing an act they would not have otherwise done.

Why Legal Representation is Crucial

Understanding Federal Law: Immigration law, particularly relating to visa fraud, is complex and constantly evolving. Expertise in both immigration law and criminal law is often necessary for an effective defense.
Dealing with Multiple Agencies: Visa fraud cases often involve several federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the Department of State. Navigating the bureaucracy requires a detailed understanding of each agency’s procedures.
3. Impact on Immigration Status: A conviction for visa fraud can have severe consequences on one’s immigration status, including deportation and future inadmissibility to the U.S.
Evidence Review: Federal cases often involve vast amounts of documentary evidence. A skilled defense attorney can scrutinize these documents for inaccuracies or illegal procedures that may undermine the prosecution’s case.
Plea Bargaining: An experienced lawyer may be able to negotiate a plea deal that reduces the charges or penalties. In some cases, a plea deal could result in a non-criminal resolution that might not result in deportation.

Understanding the Legal Process

The legal process in federal visa fraud cases can be complicated and lengthy. After arrest and booking, the defendant will typically face an initial appearance in federal court. Then comes the indictment, arraignment, discovery, plea negotiations, and potentially a trial. Each of these steps has complexities and potential pitfalls that require legal expertise to navigate successfully.

Post-Conviction Consequences

A conviction in a federal visa fraud case often has long-lasting implications. Aside from potential jail time and hefty fines, the most significant consequence is usually deportation. Even after serving a prison sentence, non-citizens are typically removed from the U.S. and barred from re-entry for many years, if not for life.

Federal visa fraud is a grave offense with severe repercussions. Anyone facing such charges must understand the full weight of the law against them, including the potential penalties and long-term consequences. Given the complexity of U.S. immigration law and the high stakes involved, anyone charged with or being investigated for federal visa fraud should seek competent legal representation immediately. Legal counsel can provide crucial advice on how to proceed, build a strong defense, and, where possible, negotiate with federal authorities to mitigate the consequences.

Aggressive Chicago Criminal Defense Lawyer with Decades of Experience

Over the past two decades, David L. Freidberg has gained a dearth of knowledge on the Illinois Compiled Statutes Criminal Code, evidence, rules of criminal procedure, and the U.S. Constitution. David L. Freidberg strives to combine his training, experience, skills, and passion for serving vulnerable communities to provide clients with unparalleled representation. To schedule a free consultation, contact The Law Offices of David L. Freidberg 24/7 at (312) 560-7100 or toll free at (800) 803-1442.