Fraud Indicators

[Samoray 165]

I have a very hard time believing that lists like this are at all useful.

The bottom line is, if you're an honest real couple who's marrying in good faith, you may have to explain the one or more things on this list that you match, but you'll more than likely have made up for it with other evidence that proves your marriage is legit. If someone isn't marrying in good faith, then you're just giving them clues on how to game the system.

When I met my fiancee she spoke very little English, and I spoke very little Thai. Her English, improved, (as did my Thai) but when I brought her to the US her English still wasn't that great. In the time between her arrival and our interview her english improved greatly, but it's still a struggle for her. We were approved for our 2 year Green card with out too much difficulty. She's enrolled in English classes now, and by the time we go for the next AOS, her english will be very good.

Lists like this might work as a VERY general guideline, but more than likely they're just something that people will needlesly obsess over.

If you're marrying in good faith then the more evidence of a real relationship you can provide, the better off you're going to be regardless of lists like this.

Yes you are right but the way the USCIS looks at it is, when certain clues are there, they process the petition slower than if u had none of these on your case

So the advice is if you had any of these, you have to provide more evidence to prove that your relationship is legit not to game the system and after all people on this forum want their petitions to be approved and having an advice from each others cases and scenarios is a good thing to avoid delays.

Good luck for everyone

[Atencio 43]

4- The period between the date of marriage and the date of divorce was very short ( if any of them were married before ).

This one worried me a little because there is a one month difference. My ex and I separated over two years ago though and were just kind of dragging our feet. I was just planning to have my wife mention this if it comes up.

[Brad and Vika 129]

What question did they ask you about the age difference? My wife and I are 18 1/2 years apart

I think it depends on the country the beneficiary hails from. Although the USCIS criteria for petitions is uniform, not all consulates of consular officers treat people or situations the same - based on what I have read here. The regional forum members might be able to give more insight into particular issues for the OP or your situation. The PI contingent has loads of experience dealing with this, and there seem to be some issues that are prevalent there.

[Egypt's Heart 6]

Yes you are right but the way the USCIS looks at it is, when certain clues are there, they process the petition slower than if u had none of these on your case

So the advice is if you had any of these, you have to provide more evidence to prove that your relationship is legit not to game the system and after all people on this forum want their petitions to be approved and having an advice from each others cases and scenarios is a good thing to avoid delays.

Good luck for everyone

USICS when processing wants some sort of evidence to approve the petiton, The real proof lays at the interview. There you MUST show strong ties in the relationship.

Usually a few emails, dated from beginning of relatioship , to the middle , right up to when petition was sent , phone bills, just a few, pictures, boarding tickets , luggage tags, copies of stamps in passport, wedding certificate, these items is enough to get a petition approved.

Good luck on your journey.

[Egypt's Heart 6]

4- The period between the date of marriage and the date of divorce was very short ( if any of them were married before ).

This one worried me a little because there is a one month difference. My ex and I separated over two years ago though and were just kind of dragging our feet. I was just planning to have my wife mention this if it comes up.

The shortness of time of the date of marriage and the date of divorce is no big deal, just be prepared to answer questions of this at interview, maybe.

Just show a true and strong realtionship is what is needed.

On a note: Many have sent petition to USCIS day after Divorce Decree was signed and were approved with no problems.

[Smoochie1209 0]

I only have the issue with number 6 - No family memebers attended wedding. My family was in USA and couldn't come because of money issues and her family couldn't make it because 1 (sad...) they didn't want to go because other things to do...(yeah...right) but mainly 2, They aren't members of our church and hold a temple recommend to be a part of the marriage sealing ceremony so it sounds more like if they can't see the actual wedding, why go...

Other than that, we have no issues... maybe age but it's exactly 6years and she being elder (yet i am elder in mentality haha, she knows it too)

I've seen most of these kinds of concerns addressed either before or during the interview is taken place. No worries about those amazing facts about why they don't want your spouse come in. Just provide evidence and it will be fine =)

[Egypt's Heart 6]

I only have the issue with number 6 - No family memebers attended wedding. My family was in USA and couldn't come because of money issues and her family couldn't make it because 1 (sad...) they didn't want to go because other things to do...(yeah...right) but mainly 2, They aren't members of our church and hold a temple recommend to be a part of the marriage sealing ceremony so it sounds more like if they can't see the actual wedding, why go...

Other than that, we have no issues... maybe age but it's exactly 6years and she being elder (yet i am elder in mentality haha, she knows it too)

I've seen most of these kinds of concerns addressed either before or during the interview is taken place. No worries about those amazing facts about why they don't want your spouse come in. Just provide evidence and it will be fine =)

6 YEARS IS NOTHING. You not no kid in your 20's and she is not "cougar" dont worry about the age. Thats the small stuff.

For the family not attending, well, sometimes things happen, did any friends attend? Have pics of friends at wedding will do nicely.

Like I said, its easy to get a petition passed, its the interview where there are no hold bar. Just be prepared for interview, start now collecting date, and materials, proof of a TRUE on going marriage.

Best wishes on your journey.

[Darnell 8,478]

All of you here spend some time reading this and you will figure this out how this works....All of you out there Good Luck...!!!

Denials Of Family-Based Immigrant Visas At Consulates And DHS Petition Revocations

by Marc Ellis

(remainder snipped for brevity)

Marc Ellis, an immigration atty, has some deep and vast experience on these 'fraud' topics, as he represents clients in China and Vietnam. The issues there are a bit different from most MENA-centric US Embassies, but the approach to 'overcome' is similar.

If you study Marc's stuff, then yer prepared.

Preparation is KEY, IMO.

Good Luck, to all with these issues !

[Darnell 8,478]

I have a very hard time believing that lists like this are at all useful.

Hey -that's one opinion, but there are other opinions, as well.

You've 'won', already, yes? Wife is USA, life is good, no issues at the US Consulate/Embassy's Immigration Visa Unit prior to or on Interview Day. Great.

VISA FRAUD ISSUES are specific to 'country', as well - so to compare 'what works in Thailand' to 'what works in Nigeria' can sometimes be useful, as is disparate adjudication methods between the two IV units. KNOWING there are disparate adjudication methods, is also useful.

Now, please understand, I'm not knocking yer experience, at all. I just wish to point out, that there are OTHER experiences that , when compared to yours, make YOUR experience resemble a 2 yard cakewalk. My favorite, all time example, is GOGO. (check his prior posts and topics, his visa journey was 'h3ll' on every step).

[David Allen 3]

I agree. As a general guideline it's probably good to know some of the things they might look at as potential fraud... Some of the things on the list such as age difference may raise an eyebrow, but the government can't tell someone they can't REALLY be in love with a person who's older/younger on that criteria alone - there would need to be other factors that contribute to their decision.

If you look at my timeline you will see it took us about 14 months to get the K1 visa, and a year and a half to bring her to the US. Most of the delays were on my end and would not have happened if I had read the instructions and advice on this website more carefully and had sent as much information as I had the first time, rather than trying to send minimal evidence. I think that, more than anything (closely following the instructions and providing ample evidence)is the key to avoiding delays, not obsessivly worring about if our age difference is too great or communication is good enough.

Yes you are right but the way the USCIS looks at it is, when certain clues are there, they process the petition slower than if u had none of these on your case

So the advice is if you had any of these, you have to provide more evidence to prove that your relationship is legit not to game the system and after all people on this forum want their petitions to be approved and having an advice from each others cases and scenarios is a good thing to avoid delays.

Good luck for everyone

[David Allen 3]

First of all, I do not view it as having 'won' - only as having successfully navigated the hoops we needed to jump through. To say someone won implies the use of trickery. We're just another couple who supplied all the documents, forms, fees, medical exams and evidence necessary to bring my fiancee (now wife) to the USA.

My point really was to say that had I gone the K3 route and married her before starting the visa process, I would not give up and divorce her just because some list says I'm to old, she's too young or she doesn't speak english well enough etc. You marry for love/companionship and do your very best to make your marriage and each other happy - not to pass government specified guidelines. That said, you still need to jump through all their hoops, background checks, medical tests, prove adequate financial support etc. to make it all happen.

I believe the process of jumping through all those hoops did more to solidify our relationship and commitment than to cause any damage. Give them what they want and in most cases they approve the visa request.

Hey -that's one opinion, but there are other opinions, as well.

You've 'won', already, yes? Wife is USA, life is good, no issues at the US Consulate/Embassy's Immigration Visa Unit prior to or on Interview Day. Great.

VISA FRAUD ISSUES are specific to 'country', as well - so to compare 'what works in Thailand' to 'what works in Nigeria' can sometimes be useful, as is disparate adjudication methods between the two IV units. KNOWING there are disparate adjudication methods, is also useful.

Now, please understand, I'm not knocking yer experience, at all. I just wish to point out, that there are OTHER experiences that , when compared to yours, make YOUR experience resemble a 2 yard cakewalk. My favorite, all time example, is GOGO. (check his prior posts and topics, his visa journey was 'h3ll' on every step).

[Eesiegbue 1]

if petitioner or beneficiary has a criminal background might also consider as a red flag.

Criminal record to what extent for the petitioner? Do misdemeanors like DUI count as a red flag?

[TBoneTX 45,324]

Nearly 5-year-old thread is now closed to further comment.

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