U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers apprehended a Tunisian woman for visa fraud in Alexandria, Virginia, on Tuesday. The 23-year-old had entered the United States on March 15 with a valid C1/D non-immigrant visa to work as a crewmember aboard a cruise ship. However, she failed to join the vessel, which is currently in the Caribbean.
Following her absence, CBP initiated a search after being alerted by the vessel agent. Officers found that she was working without authorization at several businesses in Northern Virginia. She was apprehended at one of these locations by CBP's special response team operators.
The woman has been processed for removal and handed over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers. She faces a minimum five-year ban from returning to the United States and may face challenges obtaining future visitor visas.
“Abusing our visitor visa program is a very serious violation of our nation’s immigration laws and abusers will face severe consequences, up to and including removal and incarceration,” stated Matthew Suarez, Acting Director of Operations at CBP Baltimore Field Office.
CBP's mission includes screening international travelers and cargo at Ports of Entry to detect illicit activities that could harm U.S. interests. They are tasked with ensuring national security while facilitating lawful travel and trade.
