The Homeland Security Investigations Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force (DBFTF) is an investigative group comprising personnel from various state, local, and federal agencies dedicated to identifying, deterring, and disrupting organizations and individuals accused of being involved in document, identity, and benefit fraud schemes.
The HIS’s Document and Benefit Fraud Task Forces (DBFTFs) are particularly involved in investigating immigration fraud in the United States.
Role of DBFTFs
DBFTFs are multi-agency task forces established to detect, deter, and disrupt document and benefit fraud. They aim to protect the integrity of the U.S. immigration system and national security by targeting alleged criminal organizations and individuals allegedly involved in fraudulent schemes.
Who Do the DBFTFs Partner With?
These task forces collaborate with various federal, state, and local agencies, including U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the Department of State, the Department of Labor, the Social Security Administration, and U.S. Attorney’s Offices.
Targets of DBFTFs
DBFTFs focus on dismantling networks that are allegedly exploiting the U.S. immigration process. This includes front companies, middlemen, facilitators, brokers, and beneficiaries involved in fraud schemes.
Alleged Fraud Facilitators: They target individuals and groups that are accused of arranging fraudulent marriages, asylum claims, and other immigration benefits.
Types of Cases Prosecuted by the DBFTF
Document Fraud: This involves the alleged manufacture, sale, or use of counterfeit identity documents such as fake driver’s licenses, birth certificates, Social Security cards, or passports.
Benefit Fraud: This includes alleged misrepresentation or omission of material facts on applications for immigration benefits like U.S. citizenship, political asylum, or valid visas.
Visa Fraud: Cases involving allegedly fraudulent visa applications, such as H-1B or H-2B visas, are also prosecuted.
Asylum Fraud: Investigations into alleged fraudulent asylum claims are conducted to ensure the integrity of the asylum process.
DBFTFs use a comprehensive approach to investigate these cases, often leading to significant convictions and asset forfeitures.
Crimes Prosecuted by DBFTF
These crimes often result in significant legal penalties and severe immigration consequences, including deportation and ineligibility for future immigration benefits. The following are a few of the crimes the DBFTF typically investigate and prosecute:
Document Fraud:
Crime: Manufacturing, counterfeiting, altering, selling, or using false identification documents (e.g., driver’s licenses, passports) to circumvent immigration laws.
Punishment: Up to 5 years imprisonment and fines under U.S. law.
Immigration Consequences: Deportation and potential ineligibility for future immigration benefits.
Benefit Fraud:
Crime: Misrepresenting facts to obtain public benefits like Medicaid, unemployment, or housing subsidies.
Punishment: Fines, reducing or stopping benefits, or imprisonment depending on the severity and financial gain.
Immigration Consequences: Deportation and ineligibility for future benefits.
Marriage Fraud:
Crime: Arranging sham marriages to obtain immigration benefits.
Punishment: Up to 5 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine under U.S. law.
Immigration Consequences: Deportation and potential permanent inadmissibility.
Asylum Fraud:
Crime: Falsifying asylum claims to gain refugee status.
Punishment: Varies based on the specifics of the case, potentially including imprisonment and fines.
Immigration Consequences: Deportation and potential ineligibility for asylum or withholding of removal.
Identity Theft and Aggravated Identity Theft:
Crime: Using stolen identities to obtain false documents or benefits.
Punishment: Up to 15 years imprisonment for aggravated identity theft.
Immigration Consequences: Deportation and potential permanent inadmissibility.
What to Do if You Think You Are Being Investigated by the Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force (DBFTF)
If you or someone you know thinks they are being investigated by the DBFTF or if you are facing prosecution on charges of document fraud, such as forging fake identity and immigration documents, you need to retain an experienced document fraud defense attorney immediately. These investigations and charges can have devastating consequences including serving time in federal prison, significant fines and losing your US legal status, which could involve family separation and the loss of a life you built in the US.
Government task forces employ federal agents from various different agencies and have the goal of prosecuting and making an example of people under investigation. An experienced document defense attorney will scrutinize the evidence and legal charges against you to build a robust case to defend your rights, your freedom and protect your legal status in the US. At Dhar Law, LLP, we have defended countless serious federal fraud cases and we often defend cases involving those in minority communities who face particular scrutiny from federal agents, especially in the current climate. We have translation services in all major languages and work tirelessly to understand each individual case thoroughly and defend your rights and your future. Contact our office today at 617 880-6155 to get a consultation.
