Under What Circumstances Do False Claim to U.S. Citizenship Occur?

In a previous article (The Immigration Consequences of False Claim to U.S. Citizenship), we discussed that the immigration consequences of a false claim to U.S. citizenship are severe. The foreign national is deported and permanently barred from admission to the U.S.

In another article (Determining False Claim to U.S. Citizenship), we discussed that a finding of false claim to citizenship can only be made if the claim was 1) made knowingly, and 2) for the purpose or benefit under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) or any other federal or state law.

It is important to note that the most common false claims to U.S. citizenship occur under the following circumstances:

• Registering to vote in a local, state, or federal election;
• Checking “U.S. citizen” on an I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification form;
• Claiming to be a U.S. citizen on a student loan application;
• Claiming to be a U.S. citizen on a mortgage application;
• Attempting to obtain a U.S. passport;
• Claiming that you are a U.S. citizen to a U.S. Customs official when entering the U.S; or
• Presenting a fraudulent U.S. passport or birth certificate.

There are some defenses available to false claim to U.S. citizenship. If you are concerned you may have made such a claim, or have additional questions about this subject or any other immigration matter, please contact the Law Offices of Azita M. Mojarad, P.C. by e-mailing azita@azitalaw.com or calling 312.641-0771.

*This article addresses false claims to U.S. citizenship made on or after September 30, 1996.