Kenyans Seeking U.S. Citizenship Face Tighter Scrutiny Over Marriage Fraud
Kenyans pursuing U.S. permanent residency and citizenship through genuine marriages to American citizens could face increased scrutiny as U.S. authorities intensify efforts to crack down on marriage fraud.
The crackdown follows the arrest of 11 people over an alleged scheme that prosecutors say arranged more than 1,000 sham marriages between U.S. citizens and foreign nationals. Authorities allege some participants paid up to KSh12.94 million ($100,000) to secure fraudulent marriages, while U.S. citizens were allegedly paid as much as KSh3.88 million ($30,000).
Investigators say the alleged network staged wedding ceremonies, created fake evidence of shared lives and coached participants on how to respond to immigration officials.
For Kenyans in genuine marriages, the crackdown does not mean legitimate applications are being targeted. However, applicants should expect immigration authorities to carefully verify that their relationship is genuine and that all information submitted is truthful. #USA
