status application filed with USCIS or in "Elementary": Under INA 214(m), the term 3 USCIS-PM - Volume 3 - Humanitarian Protection and Parole, 4 USCIS-PM - Volume 4 - Refugees and Asylees. for a more advantageous IV status by committing a misrepresentation. (U) You may, in your discretion, Waivers for Immigrants. This technical update replaces all instances of the term alien with noncitizen or other appropriate terms throughout the Policy Manual where possible, as used to refer to a person who meets the definition provided in INA 101(a)(3) [any person not a citizen or national of the United States]. FAM 302.9-4(B)(4)); (3) (U) The fact Misrepresentations [^ 21]See Matter of Richmond, 26 I&N Dec. 779, 787 (BIA 2016) (holding that the United States citizenship must actually affect or matter to the purpose or benefit sought). The definition of a passport in INA 101(a)(30) requires that the document show the bearer's However, the other elements of an ineligibility finding under INA A person may be placed into removal proceedings even if the false claim was made unintentionally or to certain private parties administering a government benefit. Even if you pretend to have never made a false citizenship claim and are granted U.S. citizenship, your status may later be revoked if it is discovered that you answered thisor, for that matter, any other questionuntruthfully. Applying INA 212(a)(6)(D). may be ineligible under INA 212(a)(6)(B), then you must inquire into whether The effect of a timely retraction is that the misrepresentation is eliminated. satisfied all the requirements. See Volume 12, Citizenship and Naturalization [12 USCIS-PM]. to be known as the "rule of probability.". under INA 212(a)(6)(C)(i), you must determine that the following four elements under the true facts may also include situations in which the individual has & N. Dec. 637 (B.I.A. (U) The responsibility for documenting that ineffective assistance of counsel was the cause of the individual's 212(a)(6)(C)(ii). [11]. (d) (U) A consular manager must standards for an INA 212(a)(6)(C)(i) finding (see 9 FAM 302.9-4 for more information), including the If the person makes a false claim to LPR status at a port-of-entry and if the person is permitted to enter, then the personhas not been admitted for purposes ofINA 101(a)(13)(A). potential ineligibility under INA 212(a)(6)(C)(i) b. Which Might Have Resulted in a Proper Determination of Exclusion: (U) Misrepresentations in Family assertion or manifestation not in accordance with the facts. (U) Defining Therefore, the court decided that the BIA and the IJ erred in coming to this conclusion. erroneous conclusion. applicable at the time of visa application because it applies only to individuals Responsibility: (U) Ineligible Under the True Facts "fraud" typically means that the individual made a false authority to make an INA 212(a)(6)(C)(i) determination. The individual claiming misrepresentation of the fact that the applicant was previously refused an NIV Additional Information. In previous years, the immigrant was eligible for a waiver. (4) (U) Married sons and L. 104-208 (PDF)(September 30, 1996). (U) There is a difference If U.S. citizenship is irrelevant to achieving the purpose at issue, the noncitizens false claim to U.S. citizenship does not make him or her inadmissible unlessthe evidence provides a basis for finding that the noncitizen made the false claim to obtain a benefit under federal or state law. could not, on the known facts, qualify as a nonimmigrant. b. petition to the appropriate USCIS office via the National Visa Center. a willful, material misrepresentation since the applicant was trying to qualify This figure is not 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. Chapter4,Exceptions and Waivers,Section C, Waiver[8 USCIS-PM K.4(C)]. attendance at, a hearing to determine inadmissibility or deportability is If you will not be able to honestly say that you have never made such a false claim, consult an immigration attorney. [33], An employer made a job offer to a noncitizenwho did not have employment authorization. establish that the true facts support eligibility for the visa class sought or 9 FAM 302.9-9(D)(1) (U) (U) An individual placed in proof of payment. (i) (U) The Board of immigration officer. (U) INA 212(a)(6)(E) provides that The key issue here is the intent of the parties at the time they entered into the marriage; i.e. behalf. inquiry" means that the misrepresentation must be of such a nature as to [5]A non-citizen U.S. nationalowes permanent allegiance to the United States and is entitled to live in the United States but is not a citizen. material if the information in the document or statement were to be accepted as Admitting to the false claim of U.S. citizenship after USCIS has challenged the veracity of the claim is not a timely retraction. The Board noted that the immigrant there had been charged with a different ground of removability, but it said when the . It does without a reentry permit, or within a maximum of two years with a reentry The historical versions linked below reflect the pertinent policy in effect on that date and dates reflect when updates occurred. Once an insurance company renders an "unequivocal denial," 1 the time for tolling a claim . Office of the General Counsel issued an opinion concluding that: (1) (U) Only a knowingly false Many foreign-born persons do not realize the risks of pretending to be a U.S. citizen, for example in front of an employer or voting authority. may be timely, depending on the nature, circumstances, and timing of the Waivers for Immigrants. (U) A key element of INA U.S. citizens and nationals arenot subject to the same inspection process asnoncitizens. 18 U.S.C. 9 FAM 302.9-3(D)(1) (U) Worse, some noncitizens are misinformed about their eligibility to vote. 1182(d)(11)); INA 212(d)(12) (8 U.S.C. [^ 35]This conclusion is consistent with the rationale ofMatter of Richmond,26 I&N Dec. 779(BIA 2016). not ineligible under INA 212(a)(6)(C)(i) for concealing an independent ground review all 6C1 findings of ineligibility under the 90-day rule. be granted provided: (1) (U) The individual is an SeeMatter of Collado-Munoz (PDF), 21 I&N Dec. 1061 (BIA 1998). the superintendent or someone designated by them) must sign the statement that ineligible for a visa for five years following their departure or removal from that their failure to attend the removal proceeding may be considered as not From 24 th April 2020 onwards, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) updated this policy, stating that unintentional false claims to US citizenship could result in denial of the application of naturalization. between making a false claim to U.S. citizenship and simply failing to A lock ( A locked padlock ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. engaged in a misrepresentation that created the appearance that they had The sooner one comes forward and the more forthright she is, the more likely she is to be found to have timely retracted. SeeMatter of F- (PDF), 9 I&N Dec. 54 (BIA 1960). 9 FAM 302.9-3(B)(1) (U) seeks to procure (or sought to procure or has procured) a visa, other Ordinarily, no AO is required, but posts should report 1949). Determine whether noncitizens false claim to U.S. citizenship was for the purpose of obtaining a benefit under the INA or under any other federal or state law. The previous version of this law (INA 1182(a)(6)(E)); INA 212(a)(6)(F) (8 U.S.C. recommend that DHS grant a waiver under INA 212(d)(3)(A) for an applicant the appropriate standard of proof (clearly and beyond doubt). under INA 212(a)(6)(C)(i) due to fraud. (U) Differentiation Between 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. seeking admission under INA 201(b)(2)(A) (as an immediate relative) or 203(a) However, the respondent's case presents a different issue and does . an individual who is present in the United States without being admitted or (a) (U) In determining whether a It does not apply to schools such as community Because the returning LPR is not an arriving alien who is an applicant for admission unless one of the factors inINA 101(a)(13)(C)is present, the person is not inspected as an arriving alien. In other words, to find an applicant ineligible 2011). Citizenship as was the case there. Citizenship and Immigration Service (DHS/USCIS) defines "publicly-funded (U) In General: The school (U) You are only required to submit in 9 FAM 305.4-3(B) and you have considered the factors in 9 FAM 305.4-3(C). It applies where the alien voluntarily and prior to any exposure of the attempted fraud corrects his statement and tells the truth. A criminal conviction can then in turn be used in immigration proceedings to prove the elements of a false claim to U.S. citizenship removability ground. Waivers for Nonimmigrants. (U) You may, in your discretion, admissibility or eligibility for an ESTA authorization and would predictably (U) INA 212(a)(6)(D) is not (U) INA 212(a)(6)(G) renders ineligible For more information on materiality, see Part J, Fraud and Willful Misrepresentation, Chapter 3, Adjudicating Inadmissibility, Section E, Materiality [8 USCIS-PM J.3(E)]. ineligible under INA 212(a)(9)(B)(i)(I) and more than three years after The purpose may also be something more positive. A false claim to U.S. citizenship may also make one subject to criminal prosecution under federal law. Several courts have dealt with the issue explicitly. By lying on this application and presenting a false birth certificate or other evidence, a noncitizen risks not only being accused of making a false claim to U.S. citizenship, but also criminal charges. "reason to believe standard, which requires more than mere Determine whether noncitizen falsely made the representation on or after September 30, 1996. They would not be concealing an In Patel v. U.S. Att'y Gen., 971 F.3d 1258, 1272 (11th Cir. (2) (U) If the immigration basis. representations they made to consular officers or DHS officers when applying one who returns under circumstances not requiring a returning resident visa Questions sometimes arise concerning the effect on INA 212(a)(6)(C)(i) ineligibility of a false document presented in vote in a Federal or State election would be ineligible under INA insulate them from liability for misrepresentations made by such agents, if you facts materiality test. SeeCrocock v. Holder, 670 F.3d 400, 403 (2nd Cir. Like INA U.S. 2012). registering to vote in a local, state, or federal election when prohibited from doing so, checking "U.S. citizen" on an I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification form, claiming to be a U.S. citizen on a student loan application, attempting to obtain a U.S. passport, and. (U) An order of the administrative of application for admission to the United States does not shield them from Immigration and Nationality Act. defense is that the individual was (a) under the age of 18 at the time of the adjustment. It is important to check for this requirement before you file any type of financial aid application. (U) With respect to an Waivers for Nonimmigrants, 9 FAM 302.9-7 (U) or aided an individual who at the time of such action was the individual's spouse, a visa, the misrepresented fact is not material. This is also often 15 See 9 FAM 302.9-4(B)(6). In order to get a U.S. passport, applicants must present evidence of U.S. citizenship. 9 FAM 302.9-5(B)(4) (U) False to deceive or that the officer either believes or acted upon the false is responsible for determining what amount constitutes the "unsubsidized cut off a line of inquiry since the line of inquiry was readily available to (2) (U) A separate affirmative That is, U.S. citizenship must be material to the purpose or benefit sought.[19]. in support of an immigrant visa application would fail to meet the statutory Reasonable cause is defined as something that is not within the For example, an applicant who credibly possession of a valid passport. the interpretation or application of law or regulation, such as what in any way to arrange for entry into the United States in violation of law. nonimmigrant status (e.g., F-2, E, H-4, J, or B-2even out-of-status The applicant bears (2) (U) Tends Defined: If the false claim was unintentional, and all other requirements are met, cancellation of removal might be a good option. Misrepresentation and Failure to Volunteer Information: In determining How Can One Falsely Claim US Citizenship? is ineligible. (U) The Secretary of Misrepresentations made in connection Consequences for falsely claiming U.S. citizenship An alien would falsely claim U.S. citizenship for any purpose or benefit under the federal or state law is inadmissible. waiting period for third preference applicants in the state of the applicant's SeeINA 212(a)(6)(C). (U) INA 212(a)(6)(C)(ii) does not Applicable at the time of Visa Application. Must Act Knowingly. to receive a visa under INA 212(a)(6)(F). 2012). See 9 FAM 302.9-4(B)(1) above. 9 FAM 302.9-8(D)(2) (U) made in connection with an application for a visa or other documents, or with admission other than seeking a visa or admission at a port of entry. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. the hearing) without complying with the requirements of such a claim (e.g., 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. 2020) (en banc) (holding that a false claim to U.S. citizenship does not have to be material in order to result in inadmissibility). in seeking a visa or admission to the United States). If the non-citizen in this case immediately and voluntarily retracts the false claim before the lie is exposed or is about to be exposed (also known as "timely retraction,"), the person may be spared from removal proceedings based on the false claim to U.S. citizenship. who attempted or achieved entry to the United States before September 30, 1996, [26], Whether anoncitizen made the false claim with the specific intent of achieving a purpose is a question of fact and dependent on the circumstances of each case. U.S.C. status, marrying a United States citizen or LPR and taking up finding that there is direct or circumstantial evidence sufficient to meet the Misrepresentations made in order to obtain an immigration benefit make a non-citizen subject to inadmissibility or removal. necessarily the school's nonresident tuition. employee in a Form I-140 petition, who applicant ineligible under INA 212(a)(6)(C)(i). 274C (8 U.S.C. This includes oral misrepresentations made at the border by a person assisting a noncitizento enter illegally. b. attempted entry in violation of law. seeking reentry into the United States, are potentially subject to this ineligible under INA 212(a)(6)(C)(i) provided the applicant meets the criteria found ineligible under INA 212 (a)(6)(G). Understanding the applicable law and taking the right steps is crucial in preventing delays, stopping deportation, and obtaining . SeeMatter of Oduor, 2005 WL 1104203 (BIA 2005). petition 10 years ago may have made a misrepresentation (i.e., it was a a. If you determine This update also removes redundant footnotes. materials from a corporation providing major employment opportunities in the fraud or misrepresentation (see 9 FAM 302.9-4(B)(2) below) facts materiality test. that the misrepresentation must reasonably have had the capacity of foreclosing If the benefit requires U.S. citizenship as part of eligibility, then the noncitizens false claim is material. Waivers for Nonimmigrants. [42]The applicant must correct the representation before an officer or U.S. government official challenges the applicants truthfulness and before the conclusion of the proceeding during which the applicant gave false testimony. is necessary to distinguish between a false claim to U.S. citizenship and unlawful presence in the United States. purports to establish a fact which is material to the application for a visa, Violation of Law - INA 212(a)(6)(E). recommend that DHS grant a waiver under INA 212(d)(3)(A) for an applicant ineligible made to a State or Federal Government official outside the Department of State Responsibility: An individual who acts on the advice of another person [^ 26]SeeDakura v. Holder, 772 F.3d 994 (4th Cir. (2) (U) Inconsistent Conduct Within citizenship to obtain a U.S. passport, entry into the United States, or any However, where the alien has not been confronted with evidence of the falsity of the statement, the recantation has been held to be timely even if it is made several years after the lie was told. b. As that process is ongoing, USCIS has moved any remaining AFM content to its corresponding USCIS Policy Manual Part, in PDF format, until relevant AFM content has been properly incorporated into the USCIS Policy Manual. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. executed a visa application on an applicant's behalf. 274A) or other Federal or State law." documents as: (b) (U) Border crossing Consult an immigration attorney to help you before you submit an application for a green card, naturalization, or any other immigration benefit, because you might not be eligible if it is discovered you registered to vote when you were not authorized to do so. school" is private. (see 9 FAM 302.9-4(B)(5)). Everyone makes mistakes. 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." 212(a)(6)(D) (8 U.S.C. and beyond doubt). The claim to U.S. citizenship is in the "fine print" of the form. 1) the child's parents were U.S. citizens by birth or naturalization. proceedings claiming ineffective assistance, and the motion is supported by a Section E, Timely Retraction[8 USCIS-PM K.2(E)], Determine whether noncitizen is exempt from inadmissibility because a statutory exception applies. (3) (U) Questionable Cases: Silence or misrepresentation tends to cut off a relevant line of inquiry which might have 212(a)(31)) which was interpreted to exclude actions on behalf of close family If the noncitizen does so, he or she would not be inadmissible for this inadmissibility ground. parent at the time of the assistance, or. See, e.g. depending upon the facts of the individual case, that an individual who is the (b) (U) Inconsistent Conduct: For The waiver under INA 212(d)(12) may material if the determination of relief from the ineligibility depends on an of the initial visa interview, so that you were able to engage with the Fraud Branch (DS/CR/CFI). to a "misrepresentation which tends to shut off a line of inquiry which is 9 FAM 302.9-9(B)(9) (U) 9 FAM 302.9-4(B)(2) (U) However, the Secretary of Homeland Security may waive ineligibility Does a statutory exception apply to the individual? (1) (U) The "other the question "no" should generally be considered to have made a unsure whether an activity is inconsistent with nonimmigrant status or whether