THE US Embassy in the Philippines warned Filipino visa applicants against the use of fraudulent documents and misrepresentation.
This comes after the US State Department said it would ramp up broader global immigration enforcement measures.
They previously said they plan to revoke the visas of 200,000 foreigners who applied for asylum or foreigners who came to the country for tourism or business but want to prolong their stay by applying for asylum.
In a statement on Saturday, the embassy said they have a strict zero-tolerance policy regarding immigration fraud.
“We take visa fraud seriously. Recently, the US Embassy notified Philippine law enforcement about visa fraud resulting in the arrest of an applicant who used fake documents,” the embassy said.
“Using fake documents or misrepresenting facts can result in a lifetime ban from entering the United States as well as criminal prosecution and arrest,” they added.
The US State Department said obtaining a visa in order to seek asylum is fraud, which is grounds for visa revocation.
Consular officials cautioned that individuals attempting to bypass legitimate application protocols face immediate legal and administrative repercussions, saying that they systematically verify all submitted public and personal records with Philippine government bodies to ensure full compliance.
The embassy said there are no exceptions to the process.
“No secrets, no exceptions, no tolerance for fraud,” the embassy said.
They also urged the public to report suspect operations, fixers and fraudulent document vendors. Incidents involving visa scams, fake document distribution, or immigration fraud can be reported directly to the embassy’s Fraud Prevention Management Unit.
