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Marriage fraud
resources for victims.

Free resources to support U.S. citizens who suspect they may be a victim of immigration marriage fraud. You are not alone.

Call 1-888-88-MARRIAGE
Cody M. Brown, Esq., Managing Attorney at Codias Law
A Note from Counsel
They are deceived, abandoned, and betrayed not only by the foreign nationals who defraud them, but by an unfeeling and unresponsive bureaucracy that routinely prioritizes the wants and wishes of foreign nationals over the rights and interests of U.S. citizens.

Cody M. Brown, Esq. Managing Attorney, Codias Law

Read his June 25, 2025 testimony before the House Judiciary Subcommittee

I.Prevent Fraud

Safeguards before sponsorship.

What a U.S. citizen sponsor can put in place before immigration filings create irreversible legal and financial risk.

01.

Independent Legal Counsel

An attorney whose sole duty is to you, the U.S. citizen sponsor.

02.

Background Investigation

Active verification of life history beyond a public-record search.

03.

Social Vetting & Feedback

Trusted friends and family observing the relationship objectively.

04.

Premarital Counseling

An independent professional assessing the relationship before commitment.

05.

Premarital Agreement

Financial clarity and asset protection before marriage.

06.

Pre-Immigration Agreement

A written understanding addressing immigration-specific concerns.

Read all six safeguards

II.Detect Fraud

The 10 Stages of
Marriage Fraud™

A behavioral progression that maps how immigration marriage fraud unfolds — from grooming and rushed marriage to financial extraction, manufactured abuse claims, and strategic abandonment. Read it side by side with your own story.

  1. I.

    Pre-Existing Risk Factors

    Vulnerabilities targeted before the relationship begins.

  2. II.

    Introduction & Grooming

    A manufactured courtship designed for control.

  3. III.

    Engagement & Marriage Ceremony

    A rushed marriage that feels transactional.

  4. IV.

    Immigration Filing & Manipulation

    Coercion shifts the focus from romance to paperwork.

  5. V.

    Post-Marital Conduct

    Affection vanishes once the petition is filed.

  6. VI.

    Resource Extraction

    Financial drain on credit, accounts, and assets.

  7. VII.

    Legal Shielding & Leverage

    Manufactured abuse claims to secure status independently.

  8. VIII.

    Strategic Abandonment

    Calculated departure once the benefit is secured.

  9. IX.

    Investigative Cover-Up

    Rehearsed scripts to obstruct federal interviews.

  10. X.

    Post-Finding Conduct

    Frivolous filings and false identities to delay removal.

Read all ten stages

III.Respond to Fraud

What to do after.

A four-phase response framework for U.S. citizens after immigration marriage fraud is exposed — built to protect safety, credibility, and long-term recovery.

Stabilize

Immediate safety and crisis management.

Coordinate Your Legal Response

Short-term legal containment and positioning.

Take Action

Evidence development and informed execution.

Rebuild

Restoration, recovery, and holistic well-being.

Open the survival guide

Referrals

A vetted professional network.

Marriage fraud impacts every aspect of life. We’ve built a first-class referral network for holistic recovery — attorneys, mental-health providers, and financial specialists who serve victims, not their abusers.

Professional Referrals

Service providers you can rely on.

  1. I. Legal Codias Law
  2. II. Mental Living Well
  3. III. Financial Mays & Associates

See the network

FAQs

How do I know if it's marriage fraud or a bad marriage?
The key difference is intent. A bad marriage usually begins with a genuine desire to build a life together, even if it later fails. In marriage fraud, the relationship is often transactional from the start, with sudden changes in behavior tied to legal milestones rather than shared life goals.
Is it too late to withdraw my sponsorship?
That depends on where you are in the immigration process. In some situations, action may still be possible even after filings have occurred. Because timing is critical, rely only on a qualified, licensed attorney for this answer.
Can I get in trouble if my spouse committed fraud?
No. The Immigration Marriage Fraud Amendments of 1986 (IMFA) were specifically created to protect victims of fraud. Congress recognized that innocent spouses are often manipulated, not complicit. If you entered the marriage in good faith, you are the victim of a crime, not a perpetrator.
Do I have to financially support my spouse forever?
This is a complex area of law that you must discuss with a licensed attorney. Theoretically, the I-864 Affidavit of Support can make sponsors financially responsible for direct support payments to the spouse and reimbursement to the government for public benefits indefinitely.

When you are ready.

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