(Image source from: STL News)

An immigration attorney Bilal Ahmed Khaleeq in Dallas who got an Indian-origin naturalized American citizen 'married' to his Pakistani assistant with an intent to obtain a Green Card, has been sentenced to six months in a federal prison.

The 48-year-old Khaleeq conspired with others to unlawfully facilitate a marriage between Pakistani national Amna Cheema, 38, and the Indian-origin U.S. citizen, identified only as 'Person A', to evade immigration laws, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said.

Cheema had previously pleaded guilty to her role in the scheme and was sentenced to time served.

According to the plea agreement, Cheema and the U.S. citizen were married in Dallas County in June 2015 and subsequently filed permanent residence application with US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in July 2015.

'Person A' was paid USD 745, in exchange for agreeing to marry Cheema.

To prepare for USCIS interview and required documentary evidence, Cheema likewise admitted to meeting Khaleeq and 'Person A' at the attorney's law office on more than one occasion. The documentary evidence as well as includes joint bank accounts, tax returns, and bills concerning their joint residence.

According to Cheema, Khaleeq also represented the couple at the USCIS interview in April 2016 and advised them on additional evidence to make the "marriage" appear legitimate.

Khaleeq had also coached the Indian-origin man on how to address the questions that would be posed during the USCIS interview process and specifically instructed him to tell the USCIS adjudications officer that he cohabited with Cheema, even though that was a false statement, according to documents.

In addition, to provide additional evidence the parties discussed filing joint tax returns and to how long the individual and Cheema should remain "married" in order for her to acquire the U.S. permanent residence.

By Sowmya Sangam