What Happens If You Lie on an Immigration Application

There are many points during the process of applying for a U.S. visa or green card at which applicants might be tempted to lie. They might think it would be harmless, and a way to avoid pesky questions. Or they perhaps believe it's essential, so as to hide a ground of inadmissibility, cover over a previous marriage, or avoid probing questions about previous overstays at the end of visits to the United States.

Be warned, however: Lying to the U.S. government can get you in bigger trouble than the problem you are lying about, as detailed below.

One Lie Can Destroy an Applicant's Credibility

Credibility or believability is hugely important in any U.S. immigration application. Some applications literally rest on the person's credibility; that is, whether the immigration officers feel they can trust and rely on your word. One lie can have many negative consequences down the line.

Let's say, for example, that you came to the U.S. as a student, and are applying to adjust status (get a green card) on the basis of your recent marriage to a U.S. citizen. But you had a little trouble finding your divorce certificate, so you just left out any mention of your previous marriage on your adjustment application. This misrepresentation is discovered, and you are denied the green card and placed in deportation (removal) proceedings. Your new spouse is angry, and divorces you. In court, you tell the judge, "But I can't return to my home country, I'm a member of a persecuted minority, and might be killed." Ordinarily, that would be grounds to apply for asylum, which could save you from deportation. But the immigration judge might well deny your asylum application on credibility grounds. If you've lied once, the judge would have solid reason to believe that you might lie again and be making up your fear of persecution.

In any case, if a USCIS or U.S. State Department official catches you in a lie, it puts everything else you've submitted into doubt. Before approving you for anything, the officials must be convinced that you're not concocting a fraud or scam.

Lying Is a Ground of Inadmissibility

Making misrepresentations on an application for immigration benefits is a ground of inadmissibility under U.S. immigration law. (I.N.A. § 212(a)(6)(C)(i).) So if the lie is discovered, you've got double trouble: not only the original problem about which you thought it necessary to lie, but a new bar to your being admitted to the U.S. in any capacity. (See Inadmissibility: When the U.S. Can Keep You Out for more on this topic.)

See a Lawyer If You Don't Think You Can Qualify to Immigrate Without Lying

If you feel you just can't complete an immigration form, or attend an interview, without hiding a certain piece of information, or you really don't know how to answer or explain a key question, see an experienced immigration attorney.

The lawyer can analyze whether you really have a significant problem, and might be able to show you how to be truthful in a way that doesn't risk having your application denied. The lawyer will also know how to make use of any exceptions that might apply in your situation, or whether there is a waiver (legal forgiveness) that you can apply for.