Immigration Marriage Fraud Amendments of 1986
PL 99-639 (H.R.3737), enacted 11/10/1986

PUBLIC LAW 99-639—NOV. 10, 1986 
100 STAT. 3537 
Public Law 99-639 
99th Congress 
An Act 
.To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to deter immigration-related 
marriage fraud and other immigration fraud. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the "Immigration Marriage Fraud 
Amendments of 1986". 
SEC. 2. DETERRING IMMIGRATION-RELATED MARRIAGE FRAUD. 
(a) CONDITIONAL BASIS FOR PERMANENT RESIDENT STATUS BASED 
ON RECENT MARRIAGE.—Chapter 2 of title II of the Immigration and 
NationaUty Act is amended by adding at the end the following new 
section: 
Nov. 10, 1986 
[H.R. 3737] 
Immigration 
Marriage Fraud 
Amendments of 
1986. 
8 u s e 1101 note. 
CONDITIONAL PERMANENT RESIDENT STATUS FOR CERTAIN AUEN 
SPOUSES AND SONS AND DAUGHTERS 
"SEC 216. (a) IN GENERAL.— 
"(1) CONDITIONAL BASIS FOR STATUS.—Notwithstanding any 
other provision of this Act, an alien spouse (as defined in 
subsection (gXD) and an alien son or daughter (as defined in 
subsection (gX2)) shall be considered, at the time of obtaining 
the status of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent resi-
dence, to have obtained such status on a conditional basis 
subject to the provisions of this section. 
"(2) NOTICE OF REQUIREMENTS.— 
"(A) AT TIME OF OBTAINING PERMANENT RESIDENCE.—At 
the time an alien spouse or alien son or daughter obtains 
permanent resident status on a conditional basis under 
paragraph (1), the Attorney General shall provide for notice 
to such a spouse, son, or daughter respecting the provisions 
of this section and the requirements of subsection (cXD to 
have the conditional basis of such status removed. 
"(B) AT TIME OF REQUIRED PETITION.—In addition, the 
Attorney General shall attempt to provide notice to such a 
spouse, son, or daughter, at or about the beginning of the 
90-day period described in subsection (dX2XA), of the 
requirements of subsections (cXD-
"(C) EFFECT OF FAILURE TO PROVIDE NOTICE.—The failure 
of the Attorney General to provide a notice under this 
paragraph shall not affect the enforcement of the provi-
sions of this section with respect to such a spouse, son, or 
daughter. 
"Ot)) TERMINATION OF STATUS IF FINDING THAT QUAUFYING MAR-
RIAGE IMPROPER.— 
"(1) IN GENERAL.—In the case of an alien with permanent 
resident status on a conditional basis under subsection (a), if the 
8 u s e 1186a. 
100 STAT. 3538 
PUBLIC LAW 99-639—NOV. 10, 1986 
Attorney General determines, before the second anniversary of 
the alien's obtaining the status of lawful admission for perma-
nent residence, that— 
"(A) the qualifying marriage— 
"(i) was entered into for the purpose of procuring an 
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alien's entry as an immigrant, or 
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"(ii) has been judicially annulled or terminated, other 
than through the death of a spouse; or 
' • 
"(B) a fee or other consideration was given (other than a 
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fee or other consideration to an attorney for assistance in 
preparation of a lawful petition) for the filing of a petition 
8 use 1154; pos<, 
under section 204(a) or 214(d) with respect to the alien; 
p- 3542. 
the Attorney General shall so notify the parties involved and, 
subject to paragraph (2), shall terminate the permanent resi-
dent status of the alien (or aliens) involved as of the date of the 
determination. 
"(2) HEARING IN DEPORTATION PROCEEDING.—Any alien whose 
permanent resident status is terminated under paragraph (1) 
may request a review of such determination in a proceeding to 
deport the alien. In such proceeding, the burden of proof shall 
be on the Attorney General to establish, by a preponderance of 
the evidence, that a condition described in paragraph (1) is met. 
"(c) 
REQUIREMENTS OF TIMELY PETITION AND INTERVIEW FOR 
^5. , f 
REMOVAL OF CONDITION.— 
"(1) IN GENERAL.—In order for the conditional basis estab-
lished under subsection (a) for an alien spouse or an alien son or 
daughter to be removed— 
,,^, 
"(A) the alien spouse and the petitioning spouse (if not 
deceased) jointly must submit to the Attorney Greneral, 
,, 
during the period described in subsection (dX2), a petition 
which requests the removal of such conditional basis and 
which states, under penalty of perjury, the facts and 
, ^ 
information described in subsection (dXD, and 
"(B) in accordance with subsection (dX3), the alien spouse 
and the petitioning spouse (if not deceased) must appear for 
a personal interview before an officer or employee of the 
Service respecting the facts and information described in 
subsection (dXD-
"(2) TERMINATION OF PERMANENT RESIDENT STATUS FOR FAIL-
URE TO FILE PETITION OR HAVE PERSONAL INTERVIEW.— 
"(A) IN GENERAL.—In the case of an alien with permanent 
resident status on a conditional basis under subsection (a), 
if— 
"(i) no petition is filed with respect to the alien in 
accordance with the provisions of paragraph (IXA), or 
"(ii) unless there is good cause shown, the alien 
spouse and petitioning spouse fail to appear at the 
. 
, 
interview described in paragraph (IXB), 
the Attorney General shall terminate the permanent resi-
^ ^ •• dent status of the alien as of the second anniversary of the 
alien's lawful admission for permanent residence. 
"(B) 
HEARING IN 
DEPORTATION PROCEEDING.—In 
any 
deportation proceeding with respect to an alien whose 
permanent resident status is terminated under subpara-
graph (A), the burden of proof shall be on the alien to 
establish compliance with the conditions of paragraphs 
(IXA) and (IXB). 
PUBLIC LAW 99-639—NOV. 10, 1986 
100 STAT. 3539 
H
f
j
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B 
"(3) DETERMINATION AFTER PETITION AND INTERVIEW.— 
"(A) IN GENERAL.—If— 
"(i) a petition is filed in accordance with the provi-
sions of paragraph (1)(A), and 
"(ii) the alien spouse and petitioning spouse appear 
at the interview described in paragraph (1)(B), 
the Attorney General shall make a determination, within 
90-days of the date of the interview, as to whether the facts 
and information described in subsection (d)(1) and alleged in 
the petition are true with respect to the qualifying 
marriage. 
"(B) REMOVAL OF CONDITIONAL BASIS IF FAVORABLE DETER-
MINATION.—If the Attorney General determines that such 
facts and information are true, the Attorney General shall 
so notify the parties involved and shall remove the condi-
j 
tional basis of the parties effective as of the second anniver-
sary of the alien's obtaining the status of lawful admission 
.;„ 
for permanent residence. 
"(C) 
TERMINATION IF ADVERSE DETERMINATION.—If 
the 
Attorney General determines that such facts and informa-
tion are not true, the Attorney General shall so notify the 
parties involved and, subject to subparagraph (D), shall 
terminate the permanent resident status of an alien spouse 
or an alien son or daughter as of the date of the 
determination. 
"(D) HEARING IN DEPORTATION PROCEEDING.—Any alien 
( 
= 
whose permanent resident status is terminated under 
subparagraph (C) may request a review of such determina-
tion in a proceeding to deport the alien. In such proceeding, 
the burden of proof shall be on the Attorney General to 
i. 
establish, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the facts 
and information described in subsection (dXD and alleged in 
the petition are not true with respect to the qualifying 
marriage. 
V 
"(4) HARDSHIP WAIVER.—The Attorney General, in the Attor-
ney General's discretion, may remove the conditional basis of 
the permanent resident status for an alien who fails to meet the 
requirements of paragraph (1) if the alien demonstrates that— 
"(A) extreme hardship would result if such alien is 
deported, or 
"(B) the qualifying marriage was entered into in good 
faith by the alien spouse, but the qualifying marriage has 
been terminated (other than through the death of the 
spouse) by the alien spouse for good cause and the gilien was 
^ 
not at fault in failing to meet the requirements of para-
graph (1). 
In determining extreme hardship, the Attorney General shall 
consider circumstances occurring only during the period that 
. H i ; 
the alien was admitted for permanent residence on a condi-
tional basis. 
"(d) DETAILS OF PETITION AND INTERVIEW.— 
"(1) CONTENTS OF PETITION.—Each petition under subsection 
(cXlXA) shall contain the following facts and information: 
"(A) STATEMENT OF PROPER MARRIAGE AND PETITIONING 
PROCESS.—The facts are that— 
"(i) the qualifying marriage— 
100 STAT. 3540 
PUBLIC LAW 99-639—NOV. 10, 1986 
"(I) was entered into in accordance with the laws 
of the place where the marriage took place, 
"(II) has not been judicially annulled or termi-
nated, other than through the death of a spouse, 
and 
"(III) was not entered into for the purpose of 
procuring an alien's entry as an immigrant; and 
"(ii) no fee or other consideration was given (other 
than a fee or other consideration to an attorney for 
assistance in preparation of a lawful petition) for the 
8USCii54;/)osf, 
filing of a petition under section 204(a) or 214(d) with 
P- 3542. 
respect to the alien spouse or alien son or daughter. 
"(B) 
STATEMENT 
OF 
ADDITIONAL 
INFORMATION.—The 
information is a statement of— 
"(i) the actual residence of each party to the qualify-
ing marriage since the date the alien spouse obtained 
permanent resident status on a conditional basis under 
subsection (a), and 
"(ii) the place of emplo5maent (if any) of each such 
party since such date, and the name of the employer of 
such party. 
"(2) PERIOD FOR FIUNG PETITION.— 
"(A) 90-DAY PERIOD BEFORE SECOND ANNIVERSARY.—Except 
as provided in subparagraph (B), the petition under subsec-
tion (cXlXA) must be filed during the 90-day period before 
the second anniversary of the alien's obtaining the status of 
lawful admission for permanent residence. 
"(B) DATE PETITIONS FOR GOOD CAUSE.—Such a petition 
may be considered if filed after such date, but only if the 
alien establishes to the satisfaction of the Attorney General 
good cause and extenuating circumstances for failure to file 
the petition during the period described in subparagraph 
(A). 
"(C) FIUNG OF PETITIONS DURING DEPORTATION.—In 
the 
case of an alien who is the subject of deportation hearings 
as a result of failure to file a petition on a timely basis in 
accordance with subparagraph (A), the Attorney General 
may stay such deportation proceedings against an alien 
pending the filing of the petition under subparagraph (B). 
"(3) PERSONAL INTERVIEW.—The interview under subsection 
(cXlXB) shall be conducted within 90 days after the date of 
submitting a petition under subsection (cXlXA) and at a local 
office of the Service, designated by the Attorney General, which 
is convenient to the parties involved. The Attorney General, in 
the Attorney General's discretion, may waive the deadline for 
such an interview or the requirement for such an interview in 
such cases as may be appropriate. 
"(e) TREATMENT OF PERIOD FOR PURPOSES OF NATURALIZATION.— 
8 use 1401. 
For purposes of title III, in the case of an alien who is in the United 
States as a lawful permanent resident on a conditional basis under 
this section, the alien shall be considered to have been admitted as 
an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence and to be in the 
United States as an alien lawfully admitted to the United States for 
permanent residence. 
"(f) TREATMENT OF CERTAIN WAIVERS.—In the case of an alien who 
has permanent residence status on a conditional basis under this 
section, if, in order to obtain such status, the alien obtained a waiver 
PUBLIC LAW 99-639—NOV. 10, 1986 
100 STAT. 3541 
under subsection (h) or (i) of section 212 of certain grounds of 
8 use 1182. 
exclusion, such waiver terminates upon the termination of such 
permanent residence status under this section. 
"(g) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
"(1) The term 'alien spouse' means an alien who obtains the 
status of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence 
(whether on a conditional basis or otherwise)— 
"(A) as an immediate relative (described in section 201(b)) 
8 USC 1151. 
as the spouse of a citizen of the United States, 
"(B) under section 214(d) as the fiancee or fiance of a Post, p. 3542. 
citizen of the United States, or 
"(C) under section 203(aX2) £is the spouse of an alien 
8 use 1153. 
lawfully admitted for permanent residence, 
by virtue of a marriage which was entered into less than 24 
months before the date the alien obtains such status by virtue of 
such marriage, but does not include such an alien who only 
obtains such status as a result of section 203(a)(8). 
"(2) The term 'alien son or daughter' means an alien who 
obtains the status of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent 
residence (whether on a conditional basis or otherwise) by virtue 
of being the son or daughter of an individual through a qualify-
ing marriage. 
"(3) The term 'qualifying marriage' means the marriage 
described to in paragraph (1). 
"(4) The term 'petitioning spouse' means the spouse of a 
qualifjdng marriage, other than the alien.". 
0)) ADDITIONAL GROUND FOR DEPORTATION.—Section 241 (8 U.S.C. 
1251) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)(9)— 
(A) by inserting "(A)" after "(9)", and 
(B) by inserting before the semicolon the following: ", (B) 
or is an alien with permanent resident status on a condi-
tional basis under section 216 and has such status termi-
nated under such section"; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new subsection: 
"(g) The provisions of subsection (a)(9XB) shall not apply in the 
cases described in section 216(cX4).". 
Ante, p. 3537. 
(c) CLASSIFICATION PETITIONS.—Section 204(a) of such Act (8 U.S.C. 
1154(a)) is amended— 
(1) by inserting "(1)" after "(a)", and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
"(2XA) The Attorney General may not approve a spousal second 
preference petition filed by an alien who, by virtue of a prior 
marriage, has been accorded the status of an alien lawfully admitted 
for permanent residence as the spouse of a citizen of the United 
States or as the spouse of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent 
residence, unless— 
"(i) a period of 5 years has elapsed after the date the alien 
acquired the status of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent 
residence, or 
"(ii) the alien establishes to the satisfaction of the Attorney 
General by clear and convincing evidence that the prior mar-
riage (on the basis of which the alien obtained the status of an 
alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence) W£is not 
entered into for the purpose of evading any provision of the 
immigration laws. 
100 STAT. 3542 
PUBLIC LAW 99-639—NOV. 10, 1986 
In this subparagraph, the term 'spousal second preference petition' 
8 use 1153. 
refers to a petition, seeking preference status under section 203(aX2), 
for an alien as a spouse of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent 
residence. 
"(B) Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to a petition filed by an 
alien whose prior marriage was terminated by the death of his or 
her spouse.". 
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(d) CRIMINAL PENALTY FOR MARRIAGE FRAUD.—Section 275 of such 
Act (8 U.S.C. 1325) is amended— 
I * 
(1) by inserting "(a)" after "275.", and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new subsection: 
.«';: r
^ 
"(t,) Any individual who knowingly enters into a marriage for the 
purpose of evading any provision of the immigration laws shall be 
imprisoned for not more than 5 years, or fined not more than 
$250,000, or both.". 
(e) LIMITATION ON ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS.—Section 245 of such 
Act (8 U.S.C. 1255) is amended by adding at the end the following 
new subsection: 
"(d) The Attorney General may not adjust, under subsection (a), 
the status of an alien lawfully admitted to the United States for 
Ante, p. 3537. 
permanent residence on a conditional basis under section 216.". 
(f) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The table of contents of such Act is 
amended by inserting after the item relating to section 215 the 
following new item: 
"Sec. 216. Conditional permanent resident status for certain alien spouses and sons 
and daughters.". 
SEC. 3. PREVENTING 
MARRIAGE 
FRAUD 
WITH 
RESPECT 
TO 
"K" 
NONIMMIGRANTS. 
(a) REQUIRING PREVIOUS MEETING TO OBTAIN " K " NONIMMIGRANT 
VISA.—The third sentence of section 214(d) of the Immigration and 
Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1184(d)) is amended— 
(1) by striking "have a bona fide intention to marry" and 
inserting "have previously met in person within 2 years before 
the date of filing the petition, have a bona fide intention to 
marry,", and 
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(2) by inserting before the period at the end the following: 
", except that the Attorney General in his discretion may waive 
the requirement that the parties have previously met in 
person . 
(b) RESTRICTING SEPARATE ADJUSTMENT TO PERMANENT RESIDENT 
STATUS OF " K " NONIMMIGRANTS.—Section 245(d) of such Act (8 
U.S.C. 1255(d)), as added by section 2(d) of this Act, is amended by 
inserting before the period at the end the following: "or of a 
8 use 1101. 
nonimmigrant described in section 101(aX15XK)". 
(c) REQUIRING FIUNG OF ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS PETITION.—Sec-
tion 214(d) of such Act (8 U.S.C. 1184(d)) is amended by striking the 
last sentence. 
8 use 1184 note. 
(d) EFFECTIVE DATES.—(1) The amendments made by subsection (a) 
shall apply to petitions approved on or after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act. 
8 use 1255 note. 
(2) The amendment made by subsection (b) shall apply to adjust-
ments occurring on or after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
8 use 1184 note. 
(3) The amendment made by subsection (c) shall apply to aliens 
issued visas under section 101(aX15XK) of the Immigration and 
8 use 1101. 
Nationality Act on or after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
PUBLIC LAW 99-639—NOV. 10, 1986 
100 STAT. 3543 
SEC. 4. RESTRICTIONS ON FUTURE ENTRY OF ALIENS INVOLVED WITH 
MARRIAGE FRAUD. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 204(c) of the Immigration and National-
ity Act (8 U.S.C. 1154(c)) is amended— 
(1) b y i n s e r t i n g "(1)" after " i f , 
-'^ *' '• '-''''' ^ 
(2) by inserting ", or has sought to be accorded," after "pre-
t- viously been accorded", and 
(3) by inserting before the period at the end the following: 
", or (2) the Attorney General has determined that the alien 
has attempted or conspired to enter into a marriage for the 
purpose of evading the immigration laws". 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by subsection (a) 8 use 1154 note, 
shall apply to petitions filed on or after the date of the enactment of 
this Act. 
SEC. 5. RESTRICTIONS ON ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS OR PETITIONS BASED 
ON MARRIAGES ENTERED WHILE IN EXCLUSION OR DEPORTA-
TION PROCEEDINGS. 
(a) RESTRICTION ON ADJUSTMENT.—Section 245 of the Immigration 
and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1255), as amended by sections 2(d) and 
3(b), is further amended— 
(1) in subsection (c), by striking "The provisions of this sec-
tion" and inserting "Subsection (a)", and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new subsection: 
"(e)(1) An alien who is seeking to receive an immigrant visa on the 
basis of a marriage which was entered into during the period 
described in paragraph (2) may not have the alien's status adjusted 
under subsection (a). 
"(2) The period described in this paragraph is the period during 
which administrative or judicial proceedings are pending regarding 
the alien's right to enter or remain in the United States.". 
(b) RESTRICTION ON PETITIONS.—Section 204 of such Act (8 U.S.C. 
1154) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: 
"(h) Notwithstanding subsection (a), a petition may not be ap-
proved to grant an alien immediate relative status or preference 
status by reason of a marriage which was entered into during the 
period described in section 245(e)(2), until the alien has resided Supra. 
outside the United States for a 2-year period beginning after the 
date of the marriage.". 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this section shall 
8 use 1154 note, 
apply to marriages entered into on or after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act. 
(d) REPORT ON SECTION 241(c) SANCTIONS.—The Attorney General 
shall study and report to the Congress, not later than 6 months after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, concerning the application of 
the 2-year marriage fraud presumption under section 241(c) of the 
Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1251(c)). Such report 
shall include— 
(1) the number of cases of deportations effected under such 
section, and 
(2) recommendations for changes in such section. 
SEC. 6. EXCLUSION FOR MISREPRESENTATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Paragraph (19) of section 212(a) of the Immigra- 
8 use 1182. 
tion and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1152(a)) is amended to read as 
follows: 
71-194 0 - 89 - ^ : CL. 3 Part5 
100 STAT. 3544 
PUBLIC LAW 99-639—NOV. 10, 1986 
"(19) Any alien who, by fraud or willfully misrepresenting a 
material fact, seeks to procure, or has sought to procure or has 
procured, a visa, other documentation, or entry into the United 
States or other benefit provided under this Act;". 
8 use 1182 note. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by subsection (a) 
shall apply to the receipt of visas by, and the admission of, aliens 
occurring after the date of the enactment of this Act based on fraud 
or misrepresentations occurring before, on, or after such date. 
Approved November 10, 1986. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 3737: 
HOUSE REPORTS: No. 99-906 (Cbmm. on the Judiciary). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 132 (1986): 
Sept. 29, considered and passed House. 
Oct. 18, considered and passed Senate.