U.K. Man Sentenced for Providing False Information on U.S. Immigration Application

A United Kingdom citizen has recently faced legal consequences after admitting to providing false information on his U.S. immigration application, as reported by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Boston. The case serves as a stark reminder of the severe repercussions that can accompany dishonesty in immigration matters, particularly in applications such as the Green Card process.

False Statements Lead to Criminal Conviction

Duncan Hollands, who is 58 years old and also known by the name Duncan Herd, received a sentence of time served — just one day in custody — along with two years of supervised release. This sentence was imposed after he was found guilty of false swearing in an immigration matter, which sets the stage for him to be subject to removal proceedings from the United States due to this conviction.

The events began when Hollands applied for lawful permanent residence in the United States in May 2021. He attended an immigration interview the following February, where he asserted that he had never used a different name and had no history of prior criminal convictions. However, the reality told a different story. Under his former name, Duncan Herd, he had been convicted and served over three years in prison in the UK for obtaining property by deception, among other offenses. Further complicating matters, he had additional encounters with law enforcement in both the U.K. and France.

Federal Agencies Cooperated in the Case

The prosecution of Hollands’ case was handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts, showcasing a significant collaboration among various local and federal agencies. Notable organizations involved in the investigation included:

• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
• Homeland Security Investigations
• The U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service
• The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
• Police departments from Cambridge and Woburn, Massachusetts
• U.K. law enforcement authorities

In particular, USCIS played a pivotal role in identifying and investigating instances of fraud, thereby emphasizing the agency’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of the U.S. immigration system.

What Are the Consequences of Lying on a Green Card Application?

Lying on an immigration application is classified as a federal crime, and the repercussions can be severe. Individuals who are convicted may face a range of challenging outcomes, such as:

• Criminal penalties, which can include imprisonment and subjected to supervised release
• Permanent ineligibility for any U.S. immigration benefits
• Initiation of removal (deportation) proceedings, making it difficult to remain in the country

The U.S. government employs an extensive vetting process to ensure that applicants meet all necessary eligibility criteria, which includes thorough interviews and background checks. Providing false information, no matter how inconsequential it may seem — including discrepancies about name changes or past criminal records — can lead to serious legal ramifications.

Reporting Immigration Fraud

To combat immigration benefit fraud, USCIS encourages the public to report any suspected fraudulent activity using an online tip form. Preventing fraud is a crucial aspect of the agency’s mission as it strives to uphold the integrity of the immigration system and to protect eligible applicants from the consequences of someone else’s deceitful actions.