[4gotunameagain]

Wouldn't they need the be able to prove that you are a spy in order to argue that you lied ? In which case who cares about the form ?

[stnikolauswagne]

Thats why I presume its asking about previous engagements, if they catch someone they suspect of espionage, dig into their background and find proof of previous activity they have a clear fraud charge without having to prove their suspicions about current activities.

[toast0]

There's often also some arbitrage on standard of proof or statutes of limitation or jurisdiction.

Maybe to deport you for espionage requires a jury trial, but to revoke status for misleading answers on an immigration form is administrative and so is deportation for lack of status.

I seem to recall some extraordinary cases where untruthful answers on immigration forms were used to justify denaturalization.

[xboxnolifes]

Proving you worked for a spy agency is far easier than proving you did spying in actuality. Assuming you didn't get caught in the act.

[bigfatkitten]

The fact you worked for an intelligence agency doesn’t mean you were an intelligence officer. You could’ve been a cleaner, or an executive assistant, or maybe you were working as a software developer on the payroll system.