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A legal assistant in Miami was charged on Wednesday in a federal court in South Florida for filing a fraudulent asylum application with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Andrea C. Correa, 37 years old and a resident of Sunrise in Broward County, is facing federal charges for fabricating an asylum application in violation of U.S. immigration laws, the Miami Federal Prosecutor's Office reported in a statement.
The prosecution is based on Title 18, Section 1546(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), which penalizes the submission of immigration documents containing false information.
During a hearing, it was reported that Correa prepared and mailed an asylum application containing multiple fraudulent claims of political persecution, despite the fact that the applicant, whose nationality was not disclosed, had informed him that she had never experienced political harassment in her country of origin.
Correa has managed over 1,000 asylum requests since 2013, but it has not been determined whether he provided false information in previous cases.
The statement adds that if Correa is found guilty, she could face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.
This case -investigated by the HSI office in West Palm Beach and the Fraud Detection and National Security (FDNS) Division of the USCIS Asylum Office in Miami- is part of an ongoing investigation by U.S. authorities to detect fraud in asylum petitions.
On the same day, U.S. authorities arrested a former Cuban intelligence agent on suspicion of fraud related to his permanent legal resident (LPR) status.
The arrest was confirmed by the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) office in Miami in collaboration with the FBI.
The HSI statement reaffirmed the commitment to identifying and arresting individuals who pose a threat to national security. Although the identity of the detainee has not been disclosed, it is believed that they may face deportation proceedings.
It has been found that many applications contain irregularities because they are prepared by legal assistants and notaries instead of accredited lawyers.
The media Café Fuerte, with sources close to the government, reported that the rise in immigration has led to an increase in asylum applications.
He noted that in the fiscal year 2023, USCIS received approximately 454,000 I-589 forms, with an average wait time of four years for a resolution.
It is estimated that there are over 3.7 million pending cases in immigration courts, he noted.
Florida is the state with the highest number of accumulated cases (567,226), followed by Texas (490,004) and California (405,230), according to data from Syracuse University, New York.
Frequently Asked Questions About Immigration Fraud and Detentions in Miami
Why was legal assistant Andrea C. Correa accused in Miami?
Andrea C. Correa, a legal assistant in Miami, was accused of filing a fraudulent asylum application with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Correa fabricated an asylum file with false information about political persecution, even though the applicant had not experienced such persecution. If found guilty, Correa could face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.
What actions are the authorities taking to combat immigration fraud in Miami?
The U.S. authorities, including the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate (FDNS) of USCIS, are investigating cases of fraud in asylum applications and other immigration documents. Additionally, they have arrested individuals involved in these crimes, such as a former Cuban intelligence officer for fraud in their legal permanent resident status.
How many asylum applications are pending in the U.S., and which states have the highest number of accumulated cases?
In the U.S., there are over 3.7 million pending cases in immigration courts. Florida is the state with the highest number of accumulated cases (567,226), followed by Texas (490,004) and California (405,230). In fiscal year 2023, USCIS received approximately 454,000 I-589 forms, with an average wait time of four years for a resolution.
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