Bilal Ahmed Khaleeq, Marriage Fraud, Texas 2023
Dallas Attorney Indicted for Marriage Fraud Scheme
DALLAS, Texas - A federal grand jury in Dallas returned a one-count indictment last week charging Bilal Ahmed Khaleeq, a Dallas attorney and his assistant, Amna Cheema with conspiracy to commit marriage fraud, announced U.S. Attorney John Parker of the Northern District of Texas.
Specifically, the indictment charges Khaleeq, 47, and Cheema, 37, with one count each of conspiracy to commit marriage fraud. If convicted, the count charged in the indictment carries a maximum statutory penalty of five years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.
Khaleeq made his initial appearance in federal court yesterday afternoon, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Horan and was released on supervised release. Cheema is scheduled to appear today before U.S. District Judge Godbey for a detention hearing.
“Immigration attorneys risk severe consequences when they choose to illegally profit by breaking U.S. immigration laws rather than building a profession on following those laws,” said Katrina W. Berger, special agent in charge of HSI Dallas. “HSI leads a Dallas-area Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force, and partners daily with many local law enforcement agencies to enforce immigration laws. HSI and our law enforcement partners will not tolerate immigration fraud — especially by immigration attorneys.”
According to the indictment, in May 2015, Khaleeq intentionally solicited Person A, a naturalized U.S. citizen originally from India, to marry Cheema, a Pakistani national, for the purpose of obtaining lawful permanent residence for Cheema.
In exchange for entering into a fraudulent marriage and proceeding through the permanent residence process, Person A received a payment of $745.00 with promises of additional monies upon approval of the Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status application (Form I-485). Cheema and Person A were married in Dallas County on June 15, 2015. Khaleeq arranged the marriage, advised Cheema regarding the filing of the Petition for Alien Relative (Form I-130) and represented the parties at the interview with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
The indictment further alleges, from January 26, 2016, through March 7, 2017, Khaleeq, Cheema and Person A had several discussions regarding the immigration process and the documentary evidence needed to represent Cheema and Person A as a bona fide married couple for the purposes of the immigration benefit. In addition, Khaleeq coached Person A how to address the questions that would be posed during the USCIS interview process.
Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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