The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has issued a warning to the public following the arrest of a Brazilian national accused of selling fraudulent Green Cards and Social Security cards. In a social media post on Monday, the agency cautioned that individuals caught engaging in such fraud could face jail time, hefty fines, or deportation—emphasizing that providing fake documents to USCIS is a serious crime with life-altering consequences.
The warning follows the arrest of Liene Tavares DeBarros, Jr., a Brazilian national charged by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Boston with one count of unlawful transfer of a document or authentication feature
“Thinking of selling fake documents? Think again,” USCIS warned. “You may find yourself in court facing jail time, monetary fines, or even deportation like this Brazilian national who was arrested for selling fake green cards and social security cards. Providing a fake document to USCIS is fraud, and fraud can get you permanently banned from the U.S.”
According to charging documents, Tavares DeBarros allegedly sold a Social Security card and a Legal Permanent Resident card—commonly known as a Green Card—to an undercover officer in October 2024 for $250.
In December 2024, he reportedly sold two more sets of fraudulent Social Security cards and Green Cards to the same officer for $500. USCIS assisted in the investigation, which was led by Homeland Security Investigations’ Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force, a specialized unit targeting document and identity fraud schemes.
The charge against Tavares DeBarros carries a potential sentence of up to 15 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Upon completion of any sentence, he will also face deportation. A federal district court judge will determine the final sentence based on U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and applicable statutes. The details in the charging documents remain allegations, and Tavares DeBarros is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Legal experts note that submitting falsified documents to USCIS—whether for visas, Green Cards, or citizenship—can lead to severe penalties under federal law, including permanent bans on reentry for non-citizens. USCIS urged the public to report suspected fraud and stressed the importance of using legitimate channels for immigration processes.
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Kishor Panthi
View More PostsKishor Panthi is the founder and editor-in-chief of Khasokhas and NepYork. He is the author of three books, “Kampan,” "UNTRANSLATABLE" and “Zero Mile.” He writes about social issues, immigration, and politics.
