You know how much time and energy it takes to become a permanent U.S. citizen. Of course, you want to do everything right, but you also want to be efficient.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services explains common immigration fraud. Know how to protect yourself and your chances of realizing your ambitions for citizenship.
Immigration scam in India
If you receive an email from the USCIS New Delhi Field Office or the Department of State in India, exercise caution. The message may request you to pay money for visa processing, contain attachments or say you qualify for a U.S. visa. Signs of a scam include the domain not ending in “.gov” and asking for a money transfer. The USCIS does not send emails for immigrant, diversity or nonimmigrant visa approval.
Form I-9
Some scammers pose as the USCIS and email employers to request Form I-9 information. One tip-off of the scam is the USCIS does not ask companies to submit Form I-9. Companies need the form and Employment Eligibility Verification, and they must keep the form for a specific period. Another sign of the scam is the USCIS does not use “news@uscis. gov” as an email address. Recipients should not click links or respond to suspicious emails.
Visa letter winners
The U.S. Department of State manages the Diversity Immigrant Visa program, not the USCIS. Parties may receive an email from the state department notifying them about winning the visa lottery. The department does not notify winners through email, and parties need not pay to enter the program.
Exercise caution while completing the steps to become a U.S. citizen. Criminals may take advantage of your knowledge gaps.