SANTA ANA, CA
December 23, 2009
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Foreign Nationals Allegedly Paid Defendant Thousands For Aid In Illegally Obtaining Student Visas
A Korea-born pastor who owns and operates a religious school in Fullerton, Calif., is expected to make his initial appearance in federal court Wednesday to answer to charges that he used the school as a front for an elaborate student visa fraud scheme, going so far as to hand out phony diplomas and stage graduation ceremonies.
Samuel Chai Cho Oh, 65, owner of California Union University (CUU), surrendered to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents Tuesday morning. Oh, who also serves as pastor of the Union Church housed on the CUU campus, is accused in a criminal complaint of conspiracy to commit visa fraud.
According to the affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, a confidential source familiar with Oh’s business dealings alleged the pastor collected $40,000 to $50,000 a month in fees from foreign “students” who received Form I-20s from CUU certifying their eligibility for academic study. The Form I-20 enables prospective students to go to a U.S. Embassy or consulate abroad and apply for a student visa. Until October, when its federal certification was revoked, CUU was authorized by the Department of Homeland Security to accept foreign students pursuing an education in religious and biblical studies, English as a Second Language (ESL) and Oriental medicine.
As part of the investigation, which began 10 months ago, ICE agents arrested and questioned more than 30 foreign nationals who stated they paid Oh fees ranging from $600 to more than $10,000 for documentation enabling them to fraudulently obtain student visas and, in some cases, bogus degrees. The “students” acknowledged they never attended class, nor did they ever see any teachers or students on the CUU campus. In the case affidavit, one witness, who purportedly received his bachelor’s degree in education from CUU, recounted how Oh staged a graduation ceremony at the campus in May, where students clad in caps and gowns, laughed as they received their phony diplomas.
“Student visas are intended to give people from around the world a chance to come to this country to enrich themselves with the remarkable learning opportunities available here,” said Miguel Unzueta, special agent in charge for the ICE Office of Investigations in Los Angeles. “If the allegations uncovered in this case prove true, it appears the defendant was interested in a different kind of enrichment, his own. ICE will aggressively pursue those who seek to exploit and corrupt America’s legal immigration system for personal gain. ”
In October, ICE agents executed a search warrant at the school, seizing computers and more than 300 student files. A review of that evidence showed that while the majority of CUU’s enrollees were Korean, the school’s student body included foreign nationals from more than 20 countries.
“Our fraud detection officers work collaboratively with ICE to investigate fraudulent conduct that jeopardizes the integrity of our immigration system,” said Martha Flores, acting district director for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in Los Angeles. “This case is a great example of the success our collaboration can achieve.”
In March, ICE agents and a compliance team from the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) paid an unannounced visit to the CUU campus. At the time, CUU had more than 300 students on its rolls. According to the case affidavit, Oh conceded during that visit that three-quarters of the school’s students did not attend class regularly and he could only produce course schedules for computer and ESL classes, even though the school was certified to accept foreign students in several other disciplines, including religious studies and Oriental medicine.
Oh, a naturalized citizen, faces a statutory maximum sentence of five years in prison based solely on the single conspiracy charge alleged in the complaint. In addition to the criminal charge, ICE has seized more than $400,000 deposited in two separate bank accounts maintained by the defendant and an associate.
ICE officials stress the visa fraud probe is ongoing and agents are continuing to pursue numerous leads. The agency worked closely on the investigation with USCIS and the Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service. ICE also received assistance with the case from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Passport Fraud and Identity Theft - Domingo Antonio Batista Florian Convicted
Miami, FL
December 15, 2009
Jeffrey H. Sloman, Acting United States Attorney
Southern District of Florida
Jeffrey H. Sloman, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and James M. Foster, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service (“DSS”), announced that defendant Domingo Antonio Batista Florian, 42, was convicted by a jury yesterday of all counts arising from his false application to obtain a U.S. passport. U.S. District Court Judge Jose E. Martinez scheduled sentencing for March 1, 2010 at 1:30 p.m.
More specifically, Batista Florian was convicted of three separate counts arising from his October 3, 2006, application for a U.S. Passport at a U.S. Post Office in Miami. The Indictment charged him with passport fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1542; impersonation of a U.S. Citizen, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 911; and aggravated identity theft, in violation of Title 18,United States Code, Section 1028A(a)(1).
The evidence and testimony at trial showed that Batista Florian submitted a Puerto Rican birth certificate as proof of citizenship, and a Florida Driver’s License as proof of identity, both in the name of a person whose identity had been stolen. Batista Florian used these identifications to support his application for a U.S. passport. Batista Florian also obtained social security cards and Florida identification cards in the name of another person whose identity had been stolen. Batista Florian used these false identifications and assumed the other person’s identity for three and a half years, until his passport application was questioned and investigated in 2007.
Mr. Sloman commended the collaborative investigative work of DSS, and the U.S. Passport Agency at the Department of State. Mr. Sloman also commended the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, for its substantial assistance in the investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Randy Katz and William D.A. Zerhouni.
December 15, 2009
Jeffrey H. Sloman, Acting United States Attorney
Southern District of Florida
Jeffrey H. Sloman, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and James M. Foster, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service (“DSS”), announced that defendant Domingo Antonio Batista Florian, 42, was convicted by a jury yesterday of all counts arising from his false application to obtain a U.S. passport. U.S. District Court Judge Jose E. Martinez scheduled sentencing for March 1, 2010 at 1:30 p.m.
More specifically, Batista Florian was convicted of three separate counts arising from his October 3, 2006, application for a U.S. Passport at a U.S. Post Office in Miami. The Indictment charged him with passport fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1542; impersonation of a U.S. Citizen, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 911; and aggravated identity theft, in violation of Title 18,United States Code, Section 1028A(a)(1).
The evidence and testimony at trial showed that Batista Florian submitted a Puerto Rican birth certificate as proof of citizenship, and a Florida Driver’s License as proof of identity, both in the name of a person whose identity had been stolen. Batista Florian used these identifications to support his application for a U.S. passport. Batista Florian also obtained social security cards and Florida identification cards in the name of another person whose identity had been stolen. Batista Florian used these false identifications and assumed the other person’s identity for three and a half years, until his passport application was questioned and investigated in 2007.
Mr. Sloman commended the collaborative investigative work of DSS, and the U.S. Passport Agency at the Department of State. Mr. Sloman also commended the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, for its substantial assistance in the investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Randy Katz and William D.A. Zerhouni.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Dating Schemes, Marriage Fraud in Ukraine
United States citizens should be alert to attempts at fraud by persons claiming to live in Ukraine who offer goods for sale or profess friendship, romantic interest, and /or marriage intentions over the Internet. Neither the Embassy nor the Department of State is in a position to help recover lost money or property in such cases.
Purchasing goods via the Internet: U.S. citizens should exercise extreme caution when conducting on-line transactions with parties in Ukraine. The Embassy receives frequent reports from Americans who have transferred funds to Ukraine for the purchase via on-line auctions of goods that never arrive. Likewise, the Embassy also receives reports of non-payment for items shipped to addresses in Ukraine. When considering such transactions, exercise due diligence.
Dating Schemes and Marriage Fraud: The most frequent reports of scams the Embassy and the Department of State receive relate to on-line dating and marriage services. Correspondents who quickly move to professions of romantic interest or discussion of intimate matters could very well be scammers. The anonymity of the Internet means that the U.S. citizen cannot be sure of the real name, age, marital status, nationality, or even gender of the correspondent. In many cases, the correspondent turns out to be a fictitious persona created only to lure the U.S. citizen into sending money.
Typically, once a connection is made, the correspondent asks the U.S. citizen to send money or credit card information for living expenses, travel expenses, or "visa costs." Sometimes, the correspondent notifies the American citizen that a close family member is ill and begins to request monetary assistance. In other instances, the scammer cites the need to pay for travel expenses and “necessary travel documents” or expresses the need for funds to settle a property or other legal dispute in order to leave Ukraine.
A request for funds almost always marks a fraudulent correspondent. American citizens who fall prey to these scams have reported suffering emotional damage as well as losing thousands of dollars. U.S. citizens are cautioned against sending any money to persons they have not actually met. If they do choose to send money, they can take several precautions.
Purchasing goods via the Internet: U.S. citizens should exercise extreme caution when conducting on-line transactions with parties in Ukraine. The Embassy receives frequent reports from Americans who have transferred funds to Ukraine for the purchase via on-line auctions of goods that never arrive. Likewise, the Embassy also receives reports of non-payment for items shipped to addresses in Ukraine. When considering such transactions, exercise due diligence.
Dating Schemes and Marriage Fraud: The most frequent reports of scams the Embassy and the Department of State receive relate to on-line dating and marriage services. Correspondents who quickly move to professions of romantic interest or discussion of intimate matters could very well be scammers. The anonymity of the Internet means that the U.S. citizen cannot be sure of the real name, age, marital status, nationality, or even gender of the correspondent. In many cases, the correspondent turns out to be a fictitious persona created only to lure the U.S. citizen into sending money.
Typically, once a connection is made, the correspondent asks the U.S. citizen to send money or credit card information for living expenses, travel expenses, or "visa costs." Sometimes, the correspondent notifies the American citizen that a close family member is ill and begins to request monetary assistance. In other instances, the scammer cites the need to pay for travel expenses and “necessary travel documents” or expresses the need for funds to settle a property or other legal dispute in order to leave Ukraine.
A request for funds almost always marks a fraudulent correspondent. American citizens who fall prey to these scams have reported suffering emotional damage as well as losing thousands of dollars. U.S. citizens are cautioned against sending any money to persons they have not actually met. If they do choose to send money, they can take several precautions.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Connecticut Driver License - Licensing Requirements for Foreigners
In accordance with the Connecticut General Statute Sec. 14-36(b)(2) a person holding a valid out-of-state motor vehicle operator's license may operate a motor vehicle for a period of thirty days following such person's establishment of residence in Connecticut, if the motor vehicle is of the same class as that for which his or her out-of-state motor vehicle operator's license was issued.
Sec. 14-1(53) defines "nonresident" as any person whose legal residence is in a state other than Connecticut or in a foreign country.
Connecticut DMV website instructs that non U.S. citizens will be required to show proof of legal status in this country, including a valid passport and one form of identification from list of acceptable forms of identification . Photocopies of documents are not acceptable. Following are additional documents required for specific visa types:
Holders of a B1 or B2 Visitor's Visa are not eligible for a driver's license or identification card unless a valid USCIS Employment Authorization Card and verification of an application pending for Lawful Permanent Residence/Adjustment of Status is provided.
Foreign students with an F1 Visa status must show USCIS document I-20 and verification of current enrollment in a Connecticut school.
J1 Visa holders are required to show USCIS document DS2019.
H1B Visa holders are required to show a valid USCIS Employment Authorization Card and an employment verification letter from a Connecticut employer or an employer from a bordering state. The employment verification letter must be dated within the past 30 days.
All applicants will be verified through USCIS for legal status before a driver's license/identification card will be issued. In some cases responses from USCIS may take an extended period of time and applicants will be asked to return the next business day to complete the licensing process. Responses are usually not received on Thursday evenings or Saturdays.
Visitors from another country are permitted to use their valid out-of-country license here in Connecticut for a period of one year with an International Driver Permit obtained from their home country.
Full time students, on a student visa, maintaining an out-of-country residency do not have to obtain a Connecticut license as long as full-time student status is in effect and are permitted to use their valid out-of-country license here in Connecticut with an International Driver Permit obtained from your home country.
At the same time Sec. 14-39(a) of the Connecticut General Status provides that any nonresident sixteen years of age or older who is licensed to operate a motor vehicle in the state or country of which he is a resident may, subject to the provisions of section 14-216, operate any registered motor vehicle on the highways of this state for the same period allowed by the state or country of his residence to residents of this state without complying with the provisions of this chapter requiring the licensing of operators; provided (1) no nonresident shall operate a commercial motor vehicle without a commercial driver's license or a motor vehicle belonging to a class other than that for which his license or commercial driver's license was issued in the other state or country, and (2) no person, including a nonresident, shall operate a motor vehicle with a load greater than the capacity designated in section 14-267a.
Sec. 14-40 is not of any help because it deals with the foreign vehicle itself rather than operator's driver's license. It states that any motor vehicle or trailer owned or operated by a resident of a foreign country, which country adheres to the articles of the "International Convention" held in Paris, April 24, 1926, or amendments thereto, relative to the operation of motor vehicles, may be operated on the highways of this state without registration, provided such nonresident operator is the holder of an international operator's license and provided such motor vehicle is legally registered in the country of his residence and also bears an international registration.
Sec. 14-1(53) defines "nonresident" as any person whose legal residence is in a state other than Connecticut or in a foreign country.
Connecticut DMV website instructs that non U.S. citizens will be required to show proof of legal status in this country, including a valid passport and one form of identification from list of acceptable forms of identification . Photocopies of documents are not acceptable. Following are additional documents required for specific visa types:
Holders of a B1 or B2 Visitor's Visa are not eligible for a driver's license or identification card unless a valid USCIS Employment Authorization Card and verification of an application pending for Lawful Permanent Residence/Adjustment of Status is provided.
Foreign students with an F1 Visa status must show USCIS document I-20 and verification of current enrollment in a Connecticut school.
J1 Visa holders are required to show USCIS document DS2019.
H1B Visa holders are required to show a valid USCIS Employment Authorization Card and an employment verification letter from a Connecticut employer or an employer from a bordering state. The employment verification letter must be dated within the past 30 days.
All applicants will be verified through USCIS for legal status before a driver's license/identification card will be issued. In some cases responses from USCIS may take an extended period of time and applicants will be asked to return the next business day to complete the licensing process. Responses are usually not received on Thursday evenings or Saturdays.
Visitors from another country are permitted to use their valid out-of-country license here in Connecticut for a period of one year with an International Driver Permit obtained from their home country.
Full time students, on a student visa, maintaining an out-of-country residency do not have to obtain a Connecticut license as long as full-time student status is in effect and are permitted to use their valid out-of-country license here in Connecticut with an International Driver Permit obtained from your home country.
At the same time Sec. 14-39(a) of the Connecticut General Status provides that any nonresident sixteen years of age or older who is licensed to operate a motor vehicle in the state or country of which he is a resident may, subject to the provisions of section 14-216, operate any registered motor vehicle on the highways of this state for the same period allowed by the state or country of his residence to residents of this state without complying with the provisions of this chapter requiring the licensing of operators; provided (1) no nonresident shall operate a commercial motor vehicle without a commercial driver's license or a motor vehicle belonging to a class other than that for which his license or commercial driver's license was issued in the other state or country, and (2) no person, including a nonresident, shall operate a motor vehicle with a load greater than the capacity designated in section 14-267a.
Sec. 14-40 is not of any help because it deals with the foreign vehicle itself rather than operator's driver's license. It states that any motor vehicle or trailer owned or operated by a resident of a foreign country, which country adheres to the articles of the "International Convention" held in Paris, April 24, 1926, or amendments thereto, relative to the operation of motor vehicles, may be operated on the highways of this state without registration, provided such nonresident operator is the holder of an international operator's license and provided such motor vehicle is legally registered in the country of his residence and also bears an international registration.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Immigration Marriage Fraud in Ohio - Individuals entered into sham marriages to gain US citizenship
December 8, 2009
11 indicted in Ohio marriage fraud scheme
Individuals entered into sham marriages to gain citizenship
COLUMBUS, Ohio - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and local officers in the metro-Columbus area arrested nine people charged with participating in a central Ohio based scheme to arrange sham marriages in order to evade U.S. immigration laws. Two additional arrests were made in New Orleans and Philadelphia. Two defendants remain at large. All 11 people were named Dec. 8 in federal indictments unsealed in federal district court.
Carter M. Stewart, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Brian Moskowitz, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Office of Investigations in Ohio and Michigan, announced the arrests.
"ICE will not tolerate those who engage in sham marriages to circumvent and exploit our nation's immigration system," said Moskowitz. "Marriage fraud poses a significant vulnerability that must not go unchallenged. ICE aggressively investigates those who take illegal shortcuts to citizenship, whether they do so to gain an immigration benefit or simply for personal profit."
The indictment alleges that Columbus-area residents Hasan Salohutdinov, Dimitry Pani, Sviatlana A. Piskunova and Laura Elizabeth Grace Scott recruited U.S. citizens and foreign nationals, primarily Eastern Europeans, to enter into sham marriages to evade immigration laws, starting in January 2007. The foreign nationals paid about $17,000 to marry U.S. citizens. The foreign nationals were allegedly promised legal residency in return for marrying citizens and the citizens were promised monetary compensation.
The indictment also alleges that defendants would counsel sham wedding partners regarding actions to take in order to lend the appearance of being a legitimate marriage, and assist non-citizens in preparing fraudulent documents to present to immigration officials.
"The indictment alleges that the defendants took part in a scheme to arrange marriages between U.S. citizens and foreign nationals," Stewart said. "The grand jury alleges that motivation for the Americans who entered into these marriages was money. The motivation for the ones they married was American citizenship."
Each count of conspiracy to commit marriage fraud and marriage fraud is punishable by up to five years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000 and three years of supervised release. Foreign nationals also face deportation after any prison time served. A list of those charged is below:
Charged foreign nationals Name City Status
Hasan Salohutdinov
Columbus
In custody
Dmitri Pani
Columbus
In custody
Sviatlana Piskunova
Columbus
In custody
Laura Scott
Columbus
In custody
Courtnie Good
Columbus
In custody
Sobithon Mirzaev
New Orleans
In custody
Elbek Saidjanov
Philadelphia
In custody
Iskander Tairov
Columbus
In custody
Brent Woods
Columbus
In custody
LaDawna Tackett
Columbus
At large
Djafar Sobirov
Columbus
At large
Stewart commended the investigation by ICE agents, and the assistance of the ICE Office of Detention and Removal, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and the Columbus Police Department, Franklin County Sheriff's Office and Reynoldsburg Police Department.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
11 indicted in Ohio marriage fraud scheme
Individuals entered into sham marriages to gain citizenship
COLUMBUS, Ohio - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and local officers in the metro-Columbus area arrested nine people charged with participating in a central Ohio based scheme to arrange sham marriages in order to evade U.S. immigration laws. Two additional arrests were made in New Orleans and Philadelphia. Two defendants remain at large. All 11 people were named Dec. 8 in federal indictments unsealed in federal district court.
Carter M. Stewart, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Brian Moskowitz, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Office of Investigations in Ohio and Michigan, announced the arrests.
"ICE will not tolerate those who engage in sham marriages to circumvent and exploit our nation's immigration system," said Moskowitz. "Marriage fraud poses a significant vulnerability that must not go unchallenged. ICE aggressively investigates those who take illegal shortcuts to citizenship, whether they do so to gain an immigration benefit or simply for personal profit."
The indictment alleges that Columbus-area residents Hasan Salohutdinov, Dimitry Pani, Sviatlana A. Piskunova and Laura Elizabeth Grace Scott recruited U.S. citizens and foreign nationals, primarily Eastern Europeans, to enter into sham marriages to evade immigration laws, starting in January 2007. The foreign nationals paid about $17,000 to marry U.S. citizens. The foreign nationals were allegedly promised legal residency in return for marrying citizens and the citizens were promised monetary compensation.
The indictment also alleges that defendants would counsel sham wedding partners regarding actions to take in order to lend the appearance of being a legitimate marriage, and assist non-citizens in preparing fraudulent documents to present to immigration officials.
"The indictment alleges that the defendants took part in a scheme to arrange marriages between U.S. citizens and foreign nationals," Stewart said. "The grand jury alleges that motivation for the Americans who entered into these marriages was money. The motivation for the ones they married was American citizenship."
Each count of conspiracy to commit marriage fraud and marriage fraud is punishable by up to five years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000 and three years of supervised release. Foreign nationals also face deportation after any prison time served. A list of those charged is below:
Charged foreign nationals Name City Status
Hasan Salohutdinov
Columbus
In custody
Dmitri Pani
Columbus
In custody
Sviatlana Piskunova
Columbus
In custody
Laura Scott
Columbus
In custody
Courtnie Good
Columbus
In custody
Sobithon Mirzaev
New Orleans
In custody
Elbek Saidjanov
Philadelphia
In custody
Iskander Tairov
Columbus
In custody
Brent Woods
Columbus
In custody
LaDawna Tackett
Columbus
At large
Djafar Sobirov
Columbus
At large
Stewart commended the investigation by ICE agents, and the assistance of the ICE Office of Detention and Removal, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and the Columbus Police Department, Franklin County Sheriff's Office and Reynoldsburg Police Department.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Immigration Fraud South Florida - South Florida man sentenced to 14 years in prison for immigration fraud
December 8, 2009
South Florida man sentenced to 14 years in prison for immigration fraud
MIAMI-A Tamarac man was sentenced to 14 years in prison for his involvement in an immigration benefit fraud scheme following a joint U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Social Security Administration (SSA), and State of Florida's Department of Business and Professional Regulation investigation.
Audie Watson, 76, was sentenced Dec. 8 to 168 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release by U.S. District Judge William J. Zloch. Watson was also ordered to forfeit assets and pay $11,250 in restitution.
Watson was charged on Aug. 29, 2008 in a seven-count indictment, along with his employees, Nancy Vertus, Anibal Reyes and Laura Reyes, with conspiracy to commit mail fraud and to encourage illegal aliens to remain in the United States. He is additionally charged with mail fraud and money laundering.
Watson's co-defendants pleaded guilty to the conspiracy and were sentenced to 18 months in federal prison. He was convicted of all seven counts on Sept. 22 after a four-day trial.
The evidence at trial established that Watson, the owner and president of Universal Service Dedicated to God, Inc., a Florida non-profit corporation, conspired with his employees to sell documents purporting to confer membership in a Native American tribe called the Pembina Nation Little Shell.
Watson sold these memberships to illegal aliens at a cost of $1,500 per individual and $2,000 per couple. He sold the supposed memberships in order for his customers to make claims of Native American lineage to immigration authorities and thereby avoid removal from the United States.
South Florida man sentenced to 14 years in prison for immigration fraud
MIAMI-A Tamarac man was sentenced to 14 years in prison for his involvement in an immigration benefit fraud scheme following a joint U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Social Security Administration (SSA), and State of Florida's Department of Business and Professional Regulation investigation.
Audie Watson, 76, was sentenced Dec. 8 to 168 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release by U.S. District Judge William J. Zloch. Watson was also ordered to forfeit assets and pay $11,250 in restitution.
Watson was charged on Aug. 29, 2008 in a seven-count indictment, along with his employees, Nancy Vertus, Anibal Reyes and Laura Reyes, with conspiracy to commit mail fraud and to encourage illegal aliens to remain in the United States. He is additionally charged with mail fraud and money laundering.
Watson's co-defendants pleaded guilty to the conspiracy and were sentenced to 18 months in federal prison. He was convicted of all seven counts on Sept. 22 after a four-day trial.
The evidence at trial established that Watson, the owner and president of Universal Service Dedicated to God, Inc., a Florida non-profit corporation, conspired with his employees to sell documents purporting to confer membership in a Native American tribe called the Pembina Nation Little Shell.
Watson sold these memberships to illegal aliens at a cost of $1,500 per individual and $2,000 per couple. He sold the supposed memberships in order for his customers to make claims of Native American lineage to immigration authorities and thereby avoid removal from the United States.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Immigration Humanitarian Parole
Humanitarian Parole
Humanitarian parole is used sparingly to bring someone who is otherwise inadmissible into the United States for a temporary period of time due to a compelling emergency.
USCIS may grant parole temporarily:
* To anyone applying for admission into the United States based on urgent humanitarian reasons or if there is a significant public benefit
* For a period of time that corresponds with the length of the emergency or humanitarian situation
Parolees must depart the United States before the expiration of their parole. You may request an extension of parole, which must be approved by USCIS. Parole does not grant any immigration benefits.
Requirements for Parole
* Anyone can file an application for humanitarian parole.
* You may file an application for parole if you cannot obtain the necessary admission documents from the Department of State.
* You cannot use parole to avoid normal visa-issuing procedures or to bypass immigration procedures. As noted above, there must be an urgent humanitarian reason or significant public benefit for the parole to be granted
* To see if you can obtain the necessary admission documents from the Department of State, see the “U.S. Department of State Visa Information” on the right.
Filing for Parole
To file for parole you must:
• Complete a Form I-131, Application for Travel Document, and Include the filing fee for each parole applicant.
• Complete a Form I-134, Affidavit of Support, for each applicant in order to demonstrate that you will not become a public charge.
• Include detailed explanation and evidence of your circumstances
If you are represented by an attorney, he or she must file a Form G-28, Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Representative.
All requests for parole must be submitted to:
Department of Homeland Security/USCIS
Attn: Chief, Humanitarian Affairs Branch
20 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Suite 3300
Washington, DC 20529-2100
You will receive a written notice once we have received your application and again when your case has been decided. If you do not receive a response within 120 business days, then you may contact the Parole Branch in writing at the address above.
If you are currently in removal proceedings or have been previously removed from the United States, you will need to submit your request to:
Department of Homeland Security/Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Office of International Affairs
Attn: Section Chief, Law Enforcement Parole Branch
800 N. Capitol St.
Washington, DC 20536
Parole Extension Request
We recommend that you file for an extension of parole at least 30 days before the expiration date on your Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record.
To apply for an extension of parole with USCIS you must:
* Have received your humanitarian parole from USCIS
* File a Form I-131, Application for Travel Document, and on the first page write, ‘EXTENSION REQUEST’ in big, bold letters
* Include the filing fee
* File a Form I-134, Affidavit of Support
* Include current supporting documentation
* Include a copy of your Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record, that you were issued upon parole into the United States
You must submit requests for extensions of parole to the Parole Branch at:
Department of Homeland Security/USCIS
Attn: Chief, Parole Branch
20 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Suite 3300
Washington, DC 20529-2100
Denied Parole Requests
There is no appeal from denial of parole. However, if there are significant new facts that are relevant to your application, you may submit new documents with updated supporting evidence following the “Filing for Parole” procedure outlined above.
Humanitarian parole is used sparingly to bring someone who is otherwise inadmissible into the United States for a temporary period of time due to a compelling emergency.
USCIS may grant parole temporarily:
* To anyone applying for admission into the United States based on urgent humanitarian reasons or if there is a significant public benefit
* For a period of time that corresponds with the length of the emergency or humanitarian situation
Parolees must depart the United States before the expiration of their parole. You may request an extension of parole, which must be approved by USCIS. Parole does not grant any immigration benefits.
Requirements for Parole
* Anyone can file an application for humanitarian parole.
* You may file an application for parole if you cannot obtain the necessary admission documents from the Department of State.
* You cannot use parole to avoid normal visa-issuing procedures or to bypass immigration procedures. As noted above, there must be an urgent humanitarian reason or significant public benefit for the parole to be granted
* To see if you can obtain the necessary admission documents from the Department of State, see the “U.S. Department of State Visa Information” on the right.
Filing for Parole
To file for parole you must:
• Complete a Form I-131, Application for Travel Document, and Include the filing fee for each parole applicant.
• Complete a Form I-134, Affidavit of Support, for each applicant in order to demonstrate that you will not become a public charge.
• Include detailed explanation and evidence of your circumstances
If you are represented by an attorney, he or she must file a Form G-28, Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Representative.
All requests for parole must be submitted to:
Department of Homeland Security/USCIS
Attn: Chief, Humanitarian Affairs Branch
20 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Suite 3300
Washington, DC 20529-2100
You will receive a written notice once we have received your application and again when your case has been decided. If you do not receive a response within 120 business days, then you may contact the Parole Branch in writing at the address above.
If you are currently in removal proceedings or have been previously removed from the United States, you will need to submit your request to:
Department of Homeland Security/Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Office of International Affairs
Attn: Section Chief, Law Enforcement Parole Branch
800 N. Capitol St.
Washington, DC 20536
Parole Extension Request
We recommend that you file for an extension of parole at least 30 days before the expiration date on your Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record.
To apply for an extension of parole with USCIS you must:
* Have received your humanitarian parole from USCIS
* File a Form I-131, Application for Travel Document, and on the first page write, ‘EXTENSION REQUEST’ in big, bold letters
* Include the filing fee
* File a Form I-134, Affidavit of Support
* Include current supporting documentation
* Include a copy of your Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record, that you were issued upon parole into the United States
You must submit requests for extensions of parole to the Parole Branch at:
Department of Homeland Security/USCIS
Attn: Chief, Parole Branch
20 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Suite 3300
Washington, DC 20529-2100
Denied Parole Requests
There is no appeal from denial of parole. However, if there are significant new facts that are relevant to your application, you may submit new documents with updated supporting evidence following the “Filing for Parole” procedure outlined above.
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