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If you are travelling to or planning to live in the United States, here is an important immigration update you should know. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has issued a clear warning: if you lie about being a U.S. citizen in your immigration paperwork, you could be permanently barred from entering the country.

Here’s what’s changed and why it matters.

Rules on False U.S. Citizenship Claims

USCIS recently updated its policy manual to explain how it will apply an earlier legal decision known as Matter of Zhang when reviewing U.S. visa applications involving false claims to U.S. citizenship.

This change is already in effect and applies to all current and future immigration cases.

What Happens If You Lie?

If someone falsely claims to be a U.S. citizen in an immigration form or visa interview, that person could be ruled inadmissible under U.S. immigration law. That means they may not be allowed to enter or stay in the United States, ever.

The updated policy makes it clear that using fake documents or giving false information to get a US visa or Green Card is a serious offence.

What’s the Legal Shift?

The main point of the update is this:

The decision in Matter of Zhang now overrides any older DHS guidance that might have given people some leeway if they didn’t fully understand what they were doing when they made the false claim.

USCIS will still consider things like age, mental ability, and whether the person understood what they were doing. But even then, the final decision depends on whether the person intended to gain an immigration benefit by lying.

Why This Matters

This move is part of a broader effort by USCIS to stop people from abusing the system. It’s not just about punishing fraud; it’s also about protecting the integrity of U.S. immigration rules.

The agency is also working to raise awareness so that both immigrants and the general public understand the serious consequences of immigration fraud.

Final Thoughts

If you’re applying for a U.S. visa or green card, honesty matters more than ever. Any false claim about U.S. citizenship can shut the door on your immigration future. USCIS is making sure applicants know that the rules are strict and the consequences are real.