Latest news with #AakashPrakashMakwana
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Business Standard
3 days ago
- Business Standard
Marriage fraud for green card: Indian man's plot caught by US agencies
'If you lie on your citizenship application, we will find out,' warned the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) last month. It was a cautionary note that soon caught up with Aakash Prakash Makwana, a 29-year-old Indian national living unlawfully in the United States. On May 28, Makwana pleaded guilty to a plot to marry a US citizen to secure permanent residence (green card). Aakash Prakash Makwana admitted in court that he overstayed his visa, paid for a fake marriage, and later lied about being a victim of domestic abuse to stay on in the country. Makwana entered the US on November 23, 2019, on a J-1 visa, meant for short-term work in the hospitality sector. That visa expired a year later, on November 24, 2020, but he remained in the country without authorisation. By August 2021, Makwana had agreed to pay $10,000 (around Rs 8.32 lakh) to marry a US citizen and apply for a Green Card. He lived in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, working without legal status. On September 3, 2021, he married the US citizen and faked a lease to make it look like they lived together. Makwana even added the US citizen's name to his utility bills and bank accounts. He later admitted to forging the property manager's signature on the lease, an act that led to an aggravated identity theft charge. What happened next When the marriage scheme collapsed, Makwana tried to stay in the US by filing a petition with USCIS. In this petition, he claimed he was suffering domestic violence at the hands of the US citizen he married. Makwana has now admitted these claims were false and part of an effort to remain in the country longer. His sentencing is set for September 26. He could face prison time, financial penalties, and deportation. The wider crackdown USCIS said on March 20, 2025, that marriage fraud is a federal crime carrying up to five years in prison and fines of up to $250,000. The agency wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter), 'Getting married just to receive immigration benefits is a crime and can lead to deportation, arrest and substantial fines.' The agency added in another statement, 'Protecting the integrity of the immigration process is a priority for USCIS. One way we protect the immigration system is by making it easy for you to report immigration fraud and abuse through our online tip form.' What counts as marriage fraud Marrying someone for money or other benefits Faking a marriage when both people know it's not real Tricking someone into a marriage under false pretences USCIS has set up an online form where people (US citizens) can report suspected fraud. 'You do not have to tell us your name or provide contact information,' the form says. Investigators do ask for as much detail as possible, including names, addresses and any evidence that could help.
India Today
3 days ago
- India Today
Indian man pleads guilty to Green Card marriage scam in US
A 29-year-old Indian national living unlawfully in the US has pleaded guilty to marriage fraud aimed at fraudulently obtaining a Green Card, a patch to American citizenship. He overstayed his visa and falsified documents to support a fraudulent marriage. When the plan failed, he falsely claimed domestic abuse to remain in the US Attorney's Office has announced that Aakash Prakash Makwana pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft. Makwana was unlawfully living in Ronceverte, West Virginia. The 29-year-old admitted that he committed the offence as part of a scheme to marry a US citizen to evade US immigration laws, US Citizenship and Immigration Services said in a initially entered the US on a J-1 non-immigrant visa, intended for work in the hospitality and culinary fields. Since the visa was only valid for one year, he collaborated with others in a scheme to marry a US citizen in order to stay in the country illegally. The J-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa that lets foreign nationals come to the US to participate in educational, cultural, or professional exchange programmes for a short CONSPIRED TO MARRY US CITIZEN TO GET A GREEN CARDAccording to court documents and statements made in court, Makwana arrived in the US on a J-1 nonimmigrant visa on November 23, 2019. As part of his guilty plea, Makwana admitted that he knew the J-1 visa was valid for one year and that he remained in the US after the visa was not extended and expired on November 24, August 2021, Makwana conspired with others to marry a US citizen for $10,000 (approximately Rs 8.32 lakh) so he could apply for lawful permanent resident status, also known as a Green was living in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, and working without legal authorisation. As part of the scheme, Makwana married a US citizen on September 3, 2021, falsified a residential lease agreement to make it appear that he and the US citizen lived together, and added the US citizen's name to his utility bills and bank accounts, the statement admitted he committed aggravated identity theft when he included the name and signature of the residential property's manager on the falsified lease agreement without the property manager's MAKES FALSE CLAIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCEAfter the marriage scheme fell through, Makwana submitted a Form I-360 to US Citizenship and Immigration Services, alleging that he was a victim of domestic violence and emotional abuse by his US citizen partner. Makwana admitted that he falsely claimed in the petition that he suffered domestic violence and emotional abuse at the hands of the US citizen he married as part of the fraud further admitted that he filed the petition to continue to stay in the US while his claims were considered and to increase his chances of obtaining a Green Card, according to the is set to be sentenced on September 26. He could face prison time, financial penalties, and possible deportation from America.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
Indian National in West Virginia pleads guilty to marriage fraud and identity theft
A 29-year-old Indian national unlawfully living in West Virginia has pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft in connection with a marriage fraud scheme aimed at bypassing US immigration laws , according to a report by US Citizenship and Immigration Services . According to a statement from the US Attorney's Office, Aakash Prakash Makwana admitted to entering into a fraudulent marriage with a US citizen in exchange for $10,000, with the intention of obtaining lawful permanent resident status. The investigation received support from US Citizenship and Immigration Services ( USCIS ). Court records show that Makwana entered the United States on a J-1 non-immigrant visa on November 23, 2019. He acknowledged in court that his visa expired on November 24, 2020, and that he remained in the country without legal status after that date. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like At 82, she dances, dresses as she wishes and dismisses her 'old-fashioned' critics CNA Read More Undo In August 2021, Makwana began conspiring with others to arrange a marriage for immigration purposes. He married a US citizen on September 3, 2021, while living in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, and working without legal authorization. (Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates) As part of the scheme, Makwana falsified a lease agreement to show that he and the US citizen lived together. He also added the individual's name to utility bills and bank accounts. Makwana admitted to using the property manager's name and signature on the lease without permission, which led to the charge of aggravated identity theft. Live Events RECOMMENDED STORIES FOR YOU Indian student goes missing in Canada days after arriving the country Trump's USCIS nominee targets OPT, raising alarms among Indian students in US When the fraudulent marriage did not result in legal status, Makwana submitted a Form I-360 to USCIS, falsely claiming he was a victim of domestic abuse. He admitted that he filed the petition to remain in the country while the application was reviewed and to improve his chances of receiving a Green Card. Makwana is scheduled to be sentenced on September 26, 2025. He faces prison time, financial penalties, and possible removal from the United States.
