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Home » News » U.K. Man Sentenced for Lying on U.S. Immigration Application

U.K. Man Sentenced for Lying on U.S. Immigration Application

A United Kingdom citizen has been sentenced in federal court after admitting to making false statements on his U.S. immigration application, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Boston. The case highlights the serious consequences of lying on a Green Card application.

False Statements Lead to Criminal Conviction

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Duncan Hollands, 58, also known as Duncan Herd, was sentenced to time served (one day in custody) and two years of supervised release. He is now subject to removal proceedings as a result of his conviction for false swearing in an immigration matter.

Hollands applied for lawful permanent residence in May 2021 and attended an immigration interview in February 2022. On both the application and during the interview, he falsely claimed that he had never used another name and had no prior criminal history.

In reality, Hollands had previously been convicted under his former name, Duncan Herd, and sentenced to more than three years in prison in the U.K. for obtaining property by deception and other offenses. He also had additional interactions with law enforcement in both the United Kingdom and France.

Federal Agencies Cooperated in the Case

The case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts. The investigation involved cooperation from multiple federal and local agencies, including:

  • 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)
  • Cambridge and Woburn, Massachusetts, police departments
  • U.K. law enforcement authorities

USCIS played a key role by assisting in the identification and investigation of the fraud.

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

Falsifying information on an immigration application is a federal crime. If convicted, individuals may face:

  • Criminal penalties, including imprisonment and supervised release
  • Permanent ineligibility for U.S. immigration benefits
  • Initiation of removal (deportation) proceedings

The U.S. government uses detailed interviews and background checks to verify an applicant’s eligibility. Providing false information, even about a name change or past conviction, can lead to serious legal consequences.

Reporting Immigration Fraud

USCIS encourages the public to report suspected immigration benefit fraud through its online tip form. Fraud prevention is a core part of the agency’s mission to protect the integrity of the immigration system.

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