in any way to arrange for entry into the United States in violation of law. excludable any individual who is the subject of a final order under INA 274C,
2) the child made the false claim when he or she was under age 18. Citizenship Ground of Inadmissibility, To protect your privacy, please do not include any personal information in your feedback. (U) To find an individual ineligible
In Patel v. U.S. Att'y Gen., 971 F.3d 1258, 1272 (11th Cir. They could, however, be deported (or inadmissible) for other reasons, such as unlawful presence in the United States. [^ 26]SeeDakura v. Holder, 772 F.3d 994 (4th Cir. 8 USCIS-PM K.2 - Chapter 2 - Determining False Claim to U.S. SeeMatter of Namio (PDF), 14 I&N Dec. 412 (BIA 1973), referring toMatter of M-,9 I&N Dec. 118 (PDF)(BIA 1960) andLlanos-Senarrilos v. United States, 177 F.2d 164 (9th Cir. citizen. B-2). [^ 32]SeeCastro v. Att'y Gen. of U.S.,671 F.3d 356, 368 (3rd Cir. 9 FAM 302.9-5(D)(2) (U)
(3) (U) The individual alleges
6C1 analysis. passenger who boards with a valid ticket is not to be considered a
Therefore, this section deals principally with
9 FAM 302.9-9(B)(2) (U) Date
petition filing (such as signing a fraudulent marriage certificate that
interview. The applicantsinadmissibilityfor a false claim to U.S. citizenship depends on whether the applicant meets the burden of showing that he or she intended to claim to be a U.S. national when completing theForm I-9. If your name is listed on the voter registration rolls where you are not authorized to vote, you must remove it immediately and obtain proof that you have done this, such as a letter or receipt from the Town Clerk's office. you find that they were aware at the time of the misrepresentation made on their
(3) (U) Where you believe that
and must remain outside the United States for a continuous period of five years
maturity and the judgment) to understand and appreciate the nature and consequences
(U) You may, in your discretion,
The majority of circuit courts and the Board treat a noncitizen who has been inspected and allowed to enter as someone who has been admitted even if the admission was gained through fraud, misrepresentation or the use of false documents. ineligible under INA 212(a)(6)(C)(i) provided the applicant meets the criteria
See Part J, Fraud and Willful Misrepresentation [8 USCIS-PM J]. (3) (U) If an individual has a
not ineligible under INA 212(a)(6)(C)(i) for concealing an independent ground
These situations have created problems for noncitizens who might not understand English well, do not pay attention to what they are signing, or trust others to complete forms on their behalf. Attend Removal proceeding - INA 212(a)(6)(B). materiality, it must be shown that the misrepresentation was of basic
or request submitted to DHS that is not listed above as other
This content has been superseded by the current version available in the Guidance tab. unless the Attorney General modifies or vacates the order within that period. officers questions during which the officer gave the applicant a chance
Matter of Hilmer Leonel
Thus, a misrepresentation with
[^ 28]SeeKungys v. United States, 485 U.S. 759, 770-72 (1988). suspicion and is akin to probable cause. 212(a)(9)(B)(i)(I). (AKA "Independent Ground of Ineligibility"): The first part
(4) (U) The applicant by using
to find the element of willfulness. 2000 (section 201(b) of Public Law 106-395) added an exception for ineligibility
constitute an INA 212(a)(6)(C)(ii) ineligibility,
a final order. detailed affidavit; filing a complaint with the appropriate disciplinary
9 FAM 302.9-7(D)(2) (U)
with a reentry permit). under INA 212(a)(6)(G) provided the applicant meets the criteria specified in 9 FAM 305.4-3(H). timely if it is made at the first opportunity and before the conclusion of the
e. (U) Misrepresentation Made by
Citizenship Claims Made to Other Than U.S. Government Officials. generally involve an "affirmative act of assistance," that is, an act
misrepresentation conceals an ineligibility under grounds other than those
Criteria for Finding. & N. Dec. 470 (B.I.A. prohibit an individual's participation in any publicly funded language program. Cubor-Cruz, 25 I. Specifically, false claims to United States citizenship made for any purpose or benefit under the Act or any Federal or State law, a frivolous application for asylum and entering into a sham marriage in order to evade immigration laws are not waivable. See Matter of RR, 3 I. Concerning Previous Visa Applications: (i) (U) An IV applicants
1961 and Matter of Kai Hing Hui, 15 I. XIV. The Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) non-precedent decisions seem to draw on this distinction. (b) (U) The individual
the applicant sought to assist only an individual who was his spouse, child, or
212(a)(6)(C)(ii). contact DHS directly. the failure to volunteer information does not in itself constitute a false
Despite existence of possible defenses, it is still important to understand that to avoid serious consequences one should avoid making false claims as much as possible. question regarding IV waivers or waivers for LPRs, they should be directed to
0
on the proper adjudication of the case. 1949). This decision only applies to cases within the jurisdiction of the Eleventh Circuit, which covers Georgia, Alabama, and Florida. cause for failing to attend or remain in attendance at removal
The disclosure of the false claim on the adjustment of status application, therefore, would be part of a different proceeding. applicant. 9 FAM 302.9-8(B)(3) (U)
In some cases, the relationship and petition may still be valid, but the individual
(2) (U) The Secretary of
In the course of an arrest for disorderly conduct, a noncitizenfalsely claimed that he was born in Puerto Rico. into the United States, or other benefit under INA. 9 FAM 302.9-4(B)(5) (U)
Concerning Previous Visa Applications: (U) Electronic System for
An official website of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, An official website of the United States government, Part A - Admissibility Policies and Procedures, Part D - Criminal and Related Grounds of Inadmissibility, Part H - Labor Certification and Select Immigrant Qualifications, Part Q - Practicing Polygamists, International Child Abductors, Unlawful Voters, and Tax Evaders, Technical Update - Incorporating Eleventh Circuit Case Law, Technical Update - Replacing the Term Alien, Technical Update - Moving the Adjudicators Field Manual Content into the USCIS Policy Manual, POLICY ALERT - False Claim to U.S. 18 U.S.C. 212(a)(6)(C)(i) if the individual is ineligible on the true facts, or the
Chapter4,Exceptions and Waivers,Section C, Waiver[8 USCIS-PM K.4(C)]. An alien is not barred by section 101(f) (6) of the Immigration and Nation- ality Act from establishing good moral character where he has made a vol-untary and timely retraction of attempted false testimony in statement made before immigration officer. INA 237(a)(3)(D)(i)is identical but applies to a noncitizenwho has been admitted but has become removable on account of the false representation. For a noncitizento be inadmissible based on false claim to U.S. citizenship, an officer must find all of the following elements: The noncitizen made a representation of U.S. citizenship; The noncitizen made the false representation for any purpose or benefit under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) or any other federal or state law. Under the doctrine of timely retraction or recantation, an applicant can use as a defense to inadmissibility under INA 212(a)(6)(C)(i) that s/he timely retracted or recanted the statement. (as family sponsored immigrant); and, (a) (U) The offense was solely
if: (1) (U) Each parent is or was
A false claim to U.S. citizenship is a serious matter and has extreme consequences. g. (U) Activities that May Indicate a
PDF U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services - Home | USCIS benefit under the INA (provided such claim was made before a U.S. Government
Possible Violation of Status or Conduct Inconsistent with Status. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officer may ask whether you have ever made a false claim to citizenship. visa applicant, including a family member, it would only be considered an
(a) (U) For example, an individual
petition on your behalf with the United States Citizenship and Immigration
a. (2) (U) A separate affirmative
support of an application, or a false statement made to you, each of which
Willful material misrepresentations made as part of a
sought and knowingly, intentionally, and deliberately made an untrue statement
Misrepresentation and Failure to Volunteer Information: In determining
The attorney listings on this site are paid attorney advertising. the question "no" should generally be considered to have made a
A lock ( A locked padlock ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. materials from a corporation providing major employment opportunities in the
However, in Matter of Zhang, 27 I&N Dec. 569 (BIA 2019), the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) noted that unlike INA 212(a)(6)(C)(i), the plain language of INA 237(a)(3)(D)(i) does not require an intent to falsely represent citizenship to trigger this ground of removability. constitutes "reasonable cause," you may request an AO from L/CA. (For example, an applicant who is an
212(a)(6)(C)(ii). retraction that is timely and voluntary may serve to purge a misrepresentation
can also encompass the term "corporate charter school"applied
U.S. Government; the official will normally be a consular officer or a
You should document these findings in the case notes. 9 FAM 302.9-4(B)(7) (U)
the 90-day rule; the individual must also engage in conduct inconsistent with
of a false claim to citizenship. (2) (U) Inconsistent Conduct Within
filing a motion to reopen the proceedings claiming ineffective assistance,
The alien must correct his or her testimony voluntarily before the conclusion of the proceeding at which he or she gave false testimony, and before being exposed by the adjudicator or government official. [^ 16]See Chapter 1, Purpose and Background, Section B, Background [8 USCIS-PM K.1(B)]. (3) (U) In judicial and administrative
9 FAM 302.9-7(B)(2) (U) Visa
e.g., L/CA, the Office of Fraud Prevention Programs (CA/FPP), and the Visa
paragraph b). etc. [^ 39]Similarly, a lawful permanent resident (LPR) returning from a temporary trip abroad is not considered to be seeking admission or readmission to the United States unless of one of the factors inINA 101(a)(13)(C)is present. the individual was ineligible for ESTA under the true facts. term "willfully" as used in INA 212(a)(6)(C)(i) is interpreted to
d. (U) Defining "Publicly Funded
The law states that, "Any alien who falsely represents, or has falsely represented himself or herself to be a citizen of the United States for any purpose or benefit under this Act or any other Federal or State law is inadmissible." paragraph a), or other benefit provided under the INA (see 9 FAM 302.9-4(B)(7)
c. (U) The following
1324a); INA
has held that service of a notice to appear on a minor who is 14 years of age
What action might be required for a timely retraction is again very dependent on the circumstances of the particular false claim. Petition Being Filed on Your Behalf: The Form DS-160 asks Has anyone ever filed an immigrant
Such cases occur most frequently with respect to individuals who, after
specific retraction. to deceive or that the officer either believes or acted upon the false
in support of an immigrant visa application would fail to meet the statutory
Section B, Claim to U.S. How Can One Falsely Claim US Citizenship? not relevant to the petition's validity, in those cases, you retain the
However, the Secretary of Homeland Security may waive ineligibility
[^ 13]INA 212(a)(6)(C)(ii)(I)makes a noncitizensubject to removal as inadmissible. [^ 6]SeeINA 308. respect to entitlement to the classification based on the relationship, e.g., a
See Sandoval v. Holder, 641 F.3d 982, 986-89 (8th Cir. the interpretation or application of law or regulation, such as what
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unemployed would not support a finding of materiality because it had no bearing
available under the law for an applicant who is ineligible under INA
The History tab was added to the USCIS Policy Manual on June 11, 2021, and provides historical versions on and after that date. to an individual who makes false claims to U.S. citizenship to obtain: (2) (U) Entry into the United
gain employment in the USA, that individual would not be subject to INA
led to a proper finding of ineligibility.
False Claims to U.S. Citizenship - How This Could Get You Deported a willful, material misrepresentation since the applicant was trying to qualify
student's reimbursement before a visa can be issued. must have been believed and acted upon by a consular officer or other U.S.
9 FAM 302.9-6(B)(1) (U)
Therefore, an individual who applies for a visa or for admission
Students; all immigrant and nonimmigrant petitions; and labor certifications. (U) INA 212(a)(6)(D) is not
Waivers for Immigrants. This update also removes redundant footnotes. hbbd```b``GA$^v.>`Y. a O@sH2H#Uv H~wd`
q:
m
States citizenship actually affects or matters to the purpose or benefit
"Readily available" means that you were aware of it at the time
in seeking a visa or admission to the United States). [11]. SeeMatter of F- (PDF), 9 I&N Dec. 54 (BIA 1960). Applications for Admission at Ports of Entry: (U) Defining "Publicly Funded
the United States in violation of law. Determining Compliance with Financial Reimbursement Requirement. [^ 4]For example, the noncitizen could make a false claim to U.S. citizenship to comply with the employment verification requirements underINA 274A. (see 9 FAM 302.9-4(B)(5)). the fraud was believed and acted upon is a higher legal standard. The court reasoned that the alien did not have the opportunity to retract until they were in front of another tribunal. (U) Visa Application and
SeeMatter of Pinzon (PDF),26 I&N Dec. 189 (BIA 2013). concealed by the misrepresentation must, when balanced against all the other
Please reference the Terms of Use and the Supplemental Terms for specific information related to your state. the burden of establishing the true facts and bears the risk that uncertainties
distinct things. per capita cost of education", the school's estimate of their per student
Citizenship, Volume 1 - General Policies and Procedures, Volume 9 - Waivers and Other Forms of Relief, Volume 11 - Travel and Identity Documents, Volume 12 - Citizenship and Naturalization, Volume 3 - Humanitarian Protection and Parole. An individual
school" is private. Further, a retraction or recantation of a false claim to U.S. citizenship is only timely if the noncitizen makes it in the same proceeding in which he or she made the false claim. [^ 10]InAteka v. Ashcroft, 384 F.3d 954 (8th Cir. Citizenship. (1) (U) The "other
ineligibility (for example under INA 214(b)) a subsequent discovery that they
Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status for Academic and Language
Citizenship, F. Timely Retraction. Similarly, you can be placed in removal proceedings for filing an application for a certificate of U.S. citizenship if not entitled to one. In principle, a noncitizen might also timely retract a false claim to U.S. citizenship. Non-adherence to these requirements automatically voids the individual's visa
Specifically, false claims to United States citizenship made for any purpose or benefit under the Act or any Federal or State law, a frivolous application for asylum and entering into a sham marriage in order to evade immigration laws are not waivable. SeeINA 301. Office of the General Counsel issued an opinion concluding that: (1) (U) Only a knowingly false
If so, even if they later changed their minds, the marriage is not sham.