The 10 Stages of Marriage Fraud

USCIS fraud indicators are outdated and do not reflect the modern realities of marriage fraud. This 10-stage framework is a summary of a modern analytical approach based on case law, agency practice, and practical realities.

Developed and licensed by Cody M. Brown, Esq., Managing Attorney at Codias Law.

STAGE I

Pre-Existing Risk Factors

Warning signs often exist before the relationship begins. Fraudsters frequently target individuals who are recently divorced, bereaved, or socially isolated, exploiting significant age or cultural differences to gain trust. They may hide criminal histories or prior immigration failures while facing urgent removal or visa expirations. If your partner had a desperate need for status and sought you out during a vulnerable time, the relationship may have been calculated for immigration benefits rather than love.

STAGE II

Introduction and Grooming

As the relationship begins, the courtship phase may be manufactured for control. Fraudsters might utilize location-filtered apps or brokers to target victims. The relationship can move at an unnatural speed—known as “love bombing”—designed to secure a commitment before an immigration deadline. They may attempt to isolate you from family or even offer financial incentives. If the romance felt intense but transactional, or if intimacy was immediately followed by sponsorship requests, you may have been groomed.

STAGE III

Engagement and Marriage Ceremony

The transition to marriage may feel more like a business transaction than a celebration. Your partner might avoid publicizing the engagement or insist on secrecy. The ceremony itself can be rushed, potentially coinciding with an immigration deadline rather than natural timing. They may pressure you into a “courthouse surprise” with minimal witnesses or no family present. If the event lacked emotional connection or felt hidden, the marriage may be a strategic step to secure status.

STAGE IV

Immigration Filing and Manipulation

Once married, the relationship’s focus may abruptly shift from romance to paperwork. Your spouse might insist on using a lawyer you do not know, exclude you from legal details, or coach you on “scripts” to memorize. They may create “sterile” bank accounts that exist only on paper or pressure you to sign the I-864 Affidavit of Support without explaining the financial risks. If you felt coerced into signing documents or controlled during the process, you may be being exploited.

STAGE V

Post-Marital Conduct

As the marital relationship continues, the dynamic may shift into a “roommate phase.” Once immigration papers are filed, affection might vanish. Your spouse may withdraw intimacy, refuse to share a life, or become secretive—locking phones or disappearing without explanation. They might withhold financial support or show total indifference to your needs. If you feel like you are living parallel lives with a stranger, this is a major warning sign.

STAGE VI

Resource Extraction

As the marriage continues, the financial dynamic may become a drain on your resources. Your spouse might refuse to contribute to household bills while secretly sending money abroad or hoarding cash in private accounts. They can leverage your credit score and status to build their own independence, effectively using you as a stepping stone. If they prioritize sending remittances to foreign relatives over your shared stability, or if unauthorized debts appear in your name, you may be a target of extraction.

STAGE VII

Legal Shielding & Leverage

To secure their status independently, the strategy may turn legal. Your spouse might attempt to manufacture “abuse” scenarios by intentionally provoking arguments, recording your reactions, or threatening to call the police. This is often a setup for a VAWA self-petition, allowing them to claim victimhood and bypass your involvement entirely. They may also weaponize custody or file false protective orders. If you feel like you are being set up, you may be the target of a legal shield.

STAGE VIII

Strategic Abandonment

Once their scheme advances, the abandonment may be calculated rather than emotional. While this often occurs immediately after receiving a Green Card, they might also leave suddenly to stage a false abuse claim or to trigger your financial liability under the I-864 Affidavit of Support. The transition from “spouse” to “adversary” can be instant. If they vanished upon receiving a benefit—or left specifically to launch a legal or financial attack—the departure was likely strategic.

STAGE IX

Investigative Cover-Up

When federal investigators intervene, the deception may become undeniable. Your spouse might rely on rehearsed “scripts” during official interviews, refuse to answer basic questions without a lawyer, or actively obstruct home site visits. They may become aggressively defensive or feign a lack of memory when challenged by officers. If official scrutiny exposes inconsistencies or they refuse to cooperate with field investigators, it is often because they are hiding the true nature of the relationship.

STAGE X

Post-Finding Conduct

Even after exposure, the scheme may continue to evolve. Facing deportation, your spouse might file frivolous asylum claims or marry a new victim immediately to delay removal. They may attack the official record, claiming their prior admissions were coerced or that their lawyer was incompetent. Their goal may be to abuse the legal system to stall for time, or ultimately, to vanish and hide under a false identity.

Detection