Archive for category: Immigration News

The USCIS assisted in the investigation that led to a successful jury vote, last month, to convict Dalia Lita, age 55, of Latham, N.Y.; Elina Rahman, age 45 of Watervliet, N.Y.; and Lubna Rahman age 45, of Watervliet, of conspiracy to commit visa fraud by submitting false information to the U.S. government in order to obtain immigrant visas. Homeland Security Officers in Albany assisted ICE special investigators by confirming and identifying fraud in these cases. Evidence presented during the 3-day trial established that in 2001, Lita filed petitions for her sisters Elina and Lubna with USCIS, knowing that those petitions contained false statements meant to conceal their true identities and prior, illegal residence in the U.S. In addition, as part of the criminal conspiracy, Elina and Lubna Rahman filed applications for family-based immigrant visas in 2012, knowing that the applications also contained the same false statements. Based on the false information the sisters provided, Elina Rahman and Lubna Rahman were issued immigrant visas although they were ineligible to enter the United states lawfully. Each of the sisters faces up to 5 years in prison and a maximum $250,000 fine, when they are sentenced on Jan. 14, 2019.

The point of this story is that it is a crime, and therefore, not a good idea, to try to trick the USCIS, or the State Department, into giving a visa, or visas, to family members.

If, in the past, you were badly treated by your US citizen or LPR (Lawful Permanent Resident) spouse or parents, please do not be afraid. There is a remedy that you can pursue.

Our Asian client, Ms. Y, was mentally abused by her LPR spouse. She did not have much hard evidence to prove wrongdoings by her husband. We then sat down with her to discover all of her evidence and, after doing so, we then decided how to proceed, based on that evidence. Shortly after we filed her I-360 (self-petition for battered spouse), we received a letter from the USCIS, which informed us that a Prima Facie case had been established, meaning there would be an approval when the quota is open.

Recently, the approval notice came, and we filed the I-485 (“Green Card” application) for her!

Contact Irwin Berowitz for a free consultation.

It is frustrating when a Consular Officer denies your visa application. Usually, the interviewer tells you nothing about the reasons for the denial. It is totally different from being denied an application by the USCIS, because at least the USCIS sends you a letter stating, in detail, why the application has been denied, and sometimes you even have a chance to appeal that decision. So here comes Mr. T, who applied for a tourist visa at a U.S. Consulate in China and got denied. The interview only lasted for 2 minutes. Mr. T felt it was unfair, and insulting to him, but found no way to fight back on his own. He then sought help from us. After we analyzed his situation, and the information that was provided by him, we helped him fight back. His next attempt to obtain a tourist visa was successful.

Yes, in situations like that, the word “fight” is important! Remember, each interview result is documented in your file. If you do not fight back, then there is a good chance that you have left the U.S. government with the wrong impression. And you don’t want that!