The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has issued a warning about fraudulent marriages and asylum scams, urging the public to report any suspected cases. USCIS emphasized the importance of protecting the U.S. immigration system by reporting fraudulent activities, as part of broader efforts under the Trump administration to tighten immigration policies. During his first term, President Trump focused on immigration reform and border security, and his administration has continued to pursue stricter measures in his second term, starting in January 2025.
USCIS is specifically targeting fraudulent marriages and asylum fraud, both of which are illegal methods used to obtain U.S. citizenship or permanent residency. A fraudulent marriage is one entered into solely for immigration benefits, without any genuine romantic or familial intent, while asylum fraud involves individuals making false claims of persecution to gain asylum in the U.S. Both offenses carry severe penalties under U.S. immigration law, with those involved in fake marriages facing up to five years in prison and fines up to $250,000.
The Immigration Marriage Fraud Amendments Act of 1986 introduced harsh penalties for fraudulent marriages, including potential deportation and disqualification from future immigration benefits. In recent years, USCIS has seen a rise in fraudulent marriage and asylum cases, which complicate the immigration process for legitimate refugees and immigrants.
As part of its ongoing efforts, the Trump administration has implemented additional measures, such as shutting down the CBP One mobile app in January 2025, which had allowed refugees in Mexico to apply for asylum. New rules to prevent illegal crossings at the southwest border have also been enacted, restricting asylum eligibility for certain individuals. While these policies aim to ensure the integrity of the immigration system, critics argue they overlook humanitarian concerns.
