HOUSTON – A Nigerian man on Monday was stripped of his U.S. citizenship at his sentencing hearing for conspiracy to commit marriage fraud, marriage fraud, naturalization fraud, and making a false statement to a federal agency. The sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney José Angel Moreno, southern District of Texas. The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Ibraheem Adeneye, 33, who is originally from Nigeria and became a naturalized U.S. citizen, was convicted of the charges May 7 by a jury. He has been in federal custody on these charges for about six months. U.S. District Judge Kenneth Hoyt sentenced Adeneye to the time he has already served in prison. The judge also granted the government’s motion to strip Adeneye of his U.S. citizenship. Adeneye is now subject to deportation.

Denaturalization is the process by which a person is stripped of United States Citizenship and returned to foreign national status. Regarding the issue of sham marriage and the United States Immigration process, the report went on to note:

The ICE HSI investigation was initiated in 2008. Adeneye indicated that he was engaged in brokering sham marriages between Nigerian nationals and U.S. citizens so that the Nigerians could obtain immigration benefits, ultimately leading to U.S. citizenship. In return, the U.S. citizen “spouses” received cash payments to assist the Nigerians in the deception.

Incorporating a sham marriage into an effort to obtain United States visa benefits is a serious crime as can be seen from the above cited report. Those thinking of filing for American Immigration benefits should note that it is NEVER a wise course of action to lie to immigration authorities or attempt to deceive the United States government or its officers. Even if one becomes a United States Citizen, then previous fraudulent activity during the visa process could result in possible de-naturalization and criminal charges.

It should further be noted that those seeking American visa benefits should consult a licensed attorney in an effort to gain insight into the immigration process as only an American attorney licensed and in good standing in at least one US state is entitled to provide advice, counsel, and/or possible representation before the United States Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State.

For related information please see: K1 visa Thailand or K1 Visa Singapore.

the Singapore dollar is forecast to strengthen to 1.356 against the US dollar by the end of the year, a central bank survey showed…The currency forecast translates into an appreciation of 3.35 per cent from 1.403 to the US dollar at the end of 2009.

Under certain circumstances, a strengthening local currency can be problematic as exporters generally wish to see a strong US dollar when trading with the US. However, those wishing to invest money into an enterprise in the United States of America may find that a strengthened local currency is a benefit. In the case of the EB-5 visa this is certainly the case as those who hold assets in strong foreign currency may find that the real cost of investing in the USA is cheaper compared to costs in the past due to a comparatively weak American dollar.

The EB-5 visa program requires the prospective immigrant investor to make a substantial investment in the USA. Prospective Immigrant Investors should be prepared to invest a minimum of $500,000 into an eligible investment program in the USA. Should an immigrant investor make the required investment, adhere to relevent regulations, and meet other eligibility criteria, then an EB-5 visa may be issued. Once in the USA, the EB-5 visa holder may one day be eligible to apply for naturalization to United States Citizenship. United States Citizenship is a highly sought after benefit as there are many privileges and rights which attach to an individual who has become an American Citizen.

It should be noted that there are a limited number of EB-5 visas available each year. To quote directly from the Beacon, the official web log of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS):

The Immigrant Investor Program, also known as “EB-5,” was created by Congress in 1990 to stimulate the U.S. economy through job creation and capital investment by immigrant investors by creating a new commercial enterprise or investing in a troubled business. There are 10,000 EB-5 immigrant visas available annually. In 1992 and regularly reauthorized since then, 3,000 EB-5 visas are also set aside for investors in Regional Centers designated by USCIS based on proposals for promoting economic growth.

In many ways, the EB-5 visa program is a “win-win” situation as the alien is granted Lawful Permanent Residence (Green Card status) and the United States economy receives the benefit of foreign investment as well as the addition of an enthusiastic immigrant who is eager to contribute to America’s economic future.

For more information please see: EB-5 Visa Singapore.

In many cases, US Consulates and Embassies close on both US Federal holidays as well as those holidays recognized by the host country. Foreknowledge of an Embassy’s holiday closing schedule can be beneficial to both American expatriates and prospective US immigrants as this knowledge can help forestall an unproductive trip to the US Embassy. Below is a list of the holidays that the US Embassy in Singapore recognizes. The US Embassy will close in observance of the following American and Singaporean holidays:

Notwithstanding holiday closures, the Embassy could also close for internal administrative purposes, the following dates are noted on the Embassy’s website as times that the Embassy will not be open for transaction of regular business:

- February 15, 16 2010 (Monday & Tuesday)
Singapore Holiday - Chinese New Year’s Day
U.S. Holiday - Washington’s Birthday

- February 25, 2010 (Thursday)
Admin/Training Day*

- March 25, 2010 (Thursday)
Admin/Training Day*

* Admin/Training Days:  We will be closed for all Consular Services, including American Citizen passport renewal, extra passport pages and notarial services on these days.  Regular services will resume the following day.  For emergency services at any time during an Admin/Training day, please call 6476-9100 during normal business hours.

Please note that the above information was promulgated by the website of the US Embassy in Singapore. To view the Embassy’s website, please click on this link. It should be noted that the US Embassy could close for other reasons at other times so this information should not be viewed as definitive. For those wishing to deal with issues at the US Embassy in Singapore, we recommend contacting the post directly. Contact information can be found at the Embassy’s website by clicking on the above link.

For information about US Visas please see: K1 visa or K3 Visa.