Passport and Visa Fraud

Passport and visa fraud is a violation of immigration law, but it is also a federal crime punishable by federal prison time and likely deportation from the United States.

Passport and visa fraud has always been a crime under federal law. However, it is now a clear priority of the federal Department of Justice to focus on the prosecution of immigration crimes to the fullest extent.

It is always important to obtain the assistance of an experienced federal CrImmigration defense attorney when charged with any federal crime, but it’s especially important when charged with a criminal immigration offense because it is a very specialized area of law.

Passport Fraud

What is a U.S. passport? What is a U.S. passport card?

A passport book is a travel document issued by the U.S. Government to a U.S. citizen for travel to and from the United States. U.S. passports are recognized as legal proof of a person’s identity and U.S. citizenship. In Fiscal Year 2010, 13.6 million passports were issued to U.S. citizens. More than one-third of the U.S. citizen population holds a valid passport.

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Ready to join STERN Law?

A passport card is a wallet-size travel document that can only be used to re-enter the United States at land border-crossings and sea ports-of-entry from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. The card provides a less expensive, smaller, and convenient alternative to the passport book for those who travel frequently to these destinations by land or by sea. The State Department began issuing the passport card in July 2008. As of June 2011, the Department has issued more than 4.5 million passport cards.

How is passport fraud committed?

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Assuming the identity of a deceased person to apply for passports

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Using fake support documents, such as fake birth certificates

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Using stolen and altered passports

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avoiding the two-parent signature rule for children

Federal crime statutes involving Passport Fraud:

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18 USC 1541 Issuance Without Authority

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18 USC 1542 False Statement in Application and Use of Passport

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18 USC 1543 Forgery or False Use of Passport

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18 USC 1544 Misuse of Passport

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18 USC 911 False Claim to Citizenship

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18 USC 1546 Fraud and Misuse of Visas, Permits, and Other Documents

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18 USC 371 Conspiracy to Commit Offense or to Defraud the United States

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18 USC 1028 Fraud and Related Activity in Connection with Identification Documents and Information

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18 USC 1028A Aggravated Identity Theft

Visa Fraud
What is a visa?

The U.S. visa is a document, obtained at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate, granting a foreign traveler permission to apply for admission into the United States at a port of entry. It is not a guarantee of entry into the United States. Department of Homeland Security inspectors determine if, and for how long, a non-citizen is admitted.

There are two types of visas:

1 Immigrant visa: For people who intend to live permanently in the United States, as provided by the Immigration and Nationality Act.

2 Nonimmigrant visa: For people who wish to visit the United States temporarily–for tourism, medical treatment, business, temporary work, or study.

What are typical types of visa fraud?

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Presenting false documents to apply for a visa

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Concealing facts that would disqualify one from getting a visa, like a criminal history in the alien’s home country

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The sale, trafficking, or transfer of otherwise legitimate visas

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Misrepresenting the reasons for requiring a visa

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Counterfeiting, forgery, or alteration of a visa

Federal crime statutes involving Visa fraud:

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18 USC 1546 Fraud and Misuse of Visas, Permits, and Other Documents

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18 USC 1001 False Statements or Entries Generally

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18 USC 1028 Fraud in Connection with Identification Documents

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18 USC 201 Bribery of Public Officials

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18 USC 371 Conspiracy to Commit Offense or to Defraud the United States

Carolina Goyeneche Gomez, Outreach & Marketing Specialist

Carolina G. is a professional who applies her knowledge and expertise to develop marketing and outreach strategies in support of STERN Law’s mission to help immigrants succeed to create a better life.

This work is essential for Carolina. Supporting minorities and standing up for what is right is a significant part of her life. Only recently emigrating from Colombia, Carolina has over ten years of experience and a Bachelor’s degree in Advertising. She launched several campaigns in the US and Colombia, and as a result, increased sales, opened new markets, and improved customer communications.

Carolina creates new opportunities for STERN Law by connecting the firm to those who need help most through marketing and communication strategies based on a “client-first” approach. She ensures that non-citizens have access to valuable information and is committed to growing the excellent relationships STERN Law has with the communities it serves.

When Carolina is not working, she likes running, hiking, and enjoying food and music with family and friends.

Pamela Gonzalez, Intake Specialist

Pamela was born in Colombia and raised both in Italy and Atlanta. She understands the challenges many can face as they rebuild better lives for themselves and their families in a new country. She is committed to providing compassionate support to every client who seeks the American Dream.

Pamela has shown a real passion for helping the disadvantaged and rooting for the underdog. She studied Political Science at Georgia State University to better understand how governments implement laws, their effect on the people they govern and how to bring about lasting positive change. She served Georgia’s leading civil rights fair housing for several years fighting housing discrimination and advocating for better treatment of all people, specifically in the Latino community and other underprivileged segments of society.

Pamela also enjoys spending as much time as possible in nature with her dog Mina, exploring new places and countries and going to the drive-in theater.

Carolina Melguizo, Director of 1st Impressions

Carolina M. was born in Medellin, Colombia. She graduated from Georgia State University with a degree in History and another in Political Science. She also has a paralegal certificate from the University of Georgia. Carolina has over 12 years of customer service experience and is passionate about helping people and the community. Her commitment to embody STERN Law’s mission stems from a personal struggle as an immigrant and the desire to assist others in achieving the American Dream.

Carolina is the first person to connect with our clients, colleagues and community members – either when they call us on the phone or walk through our doors. She connects them to the answers they need and makes sure they are headed on the right path. She also supports day-to-day office management to make sure our A-team has everything it needs to succeed.

She loves reading, hiking, salsa dancing and playing video games.

Ben Butera, Chief Operations Officer

Ben Butera joins Stern Law as COO after nearly 15 years working in the energy and utilities infrastructure industry. While Ben’s personal focus has always been client-centric, his experience and responsibility has been equally split between business operations, strategic planning/growth enablement and technology development, giving him a diverse set of experiences to draw on to help contribute to the success of the Firm’s clients.

Ben believes in the Firm’s mission, and sees the application of new technology and innovative approaches to improving the client experience as an exciting opportunity to make a difference in the lives of our clients.

When not at STERN Law, Ben enjoys playing the piano, cooking and reading about economics and history.

Laura Cameron – Firm Administrator

Laura Cameron is a Georgia native who brings 20 years of firm administration experience – managing all aspects of day-to-day operations, administration and policy implementation at the human-to-human level. The motivating factor for Laura is helping provide staff with the tools and resources needed to excel in their individual roles and guide the success and objectives of the firm team.

As part of a proud military family, Laura knows firsthand the responsibility and sacrifice given for the bounty of having and enjoying all facets of the “American Dream.” She firmly believes those ideals shine brightest when others are provided the opportunity to share in that bounty and knows the core values that drive and guide STERN Law exemplify these values.

Some of her responsibilities include directing all support services, overseeing the firm’s human resources, finance, payroll, vendor, technology, facilities management, personnel and benefits. Laura credits her degrees in accounting and business administration for providing a solid foundation that continues to guide her success in the administrator role.

Laura’s off the job interests include volunteering in her community, spending time with her wonderful husband, enjoying the simple pleasures or pursing their like interests; Cooking and experimenting in the kitchen with her culinary student youngest son; learning the fine art of photography or the latest technology wonders with her oldest son, who will soon be married, adding a much needed daughter to the family mix.





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Passport and Visa Fraud

Passport Fraud

Ready to join STERN Law?

How is passport fraud committed?

Assuming the identity of a deceased person to apply for passports

Using fake support documents, such as fake birth certificates

Using stolen and altered passports

avoiding the two-parent signature rule for children

Federal crime statutes involving Passport Fraud:

18 USC 1541 Issuance Without Authority

18 USC 1542 False Statement in Application and Use of Passport

18 USC 1543 Forgery or False Use of Passport

18 USC 1544 Misuse of Passport

18 USC 911 False Claim to Citizenship

18 USC 1546 Fraud and Misuse of Visas, Permits, and Other Documents

18 USC 371 Conspiracy to Commit Offense or to Defraud the United States

18 USC 1028 Fraud and Related Activity in Connection with Identification Documents and Information

18 USC 1028A Aggravated Identity Theft

Visa FraudWhat is a visa?

What are typical types of visa fraud?

Presenting false documents to apply for a visa

Concealing facts that would disqualify one from getting a visa, like a criminal history in the alien’s home country

The sale, trafficking, or transfer of otherwise legitimate visas

Misrepresenting the reasons for requiring a visa

Counterfeiting, forgery, or alteration of a visa

Federal crime statutes involving Visa fraud:

18 USC 1546 Fraud and Misuse of Visas, Permits, and Other Documents

18 USC 1001 False Statements or Entries Generally

18 USC 1028 Fraud in Connection with Identification Documents

18 USC 201 Bribery of Public Officials

18 USC 371 Conspiracy to Commit Offense or to Defraud the United States

Carolina Goyeneche Gomez, Outreach & Marketing Specialist

Pamela Gonzalez, Intake Specialist

Carolina Melguizo, Director of 1st Impressions

Ben Butera, Chief Operations Officer

Laura Cameron – Firm Administrator

Visa Fraud
What is a visa?