Top Ten Immigration Scams


By David Seminara, July 24, 2011



There are anywhere from 11-20 million illegal immigrants living in the U.S. When I worked as a consular officer at American embassies overseas I saw so many examples of visa and immigration fraud that it’s hard for me to understand why so many haven’t figured out how to game the system and legalize their status. This is a light-hearted look at some of the most popular scams, in reverse order of their relative popularity. Please do not email me to ask for details on how you can carry out these schemes.



10. I’m with the band. Every year thousands of musicians and other types of entertainers come to the U.S. on P visas to perform in the States, but entertainers in poor countries are often bribed to put ringers, i.e. non-entertainers who simply want to emigrate on their list of performers.

9. Jump ship. Get a low paying job on a cruise ship which docks in U.S. ports. Your passage may not include a date with Vicky Stubbing, but your C-1 transit visa will give you 30 days on land, plenty of time to get lost and forget what ship you were supposed to return to.

8. Find God. Or at least an R-1 visa, which is supposed to be for “religious workersâ€