Six Charged in US Marriage Fraud Scheme Involving Green Cards

Six people have been charged in a federal case over an alleged scheme that arranged hundreds of sham marriages to help immigrants obtain US immigration benefits, generating more than $6 million in profits. The US Department of Justice said the alleged fraud had operated in Massachusetts for more than a decade.

Federal prosecutors in Massachusetts announced the charges on Wednesday, October 21. According to the allegations, the scheme was led by Jennifer Gonzalez, 43, a US citizen accused of arranging fraudulent marriages between immigrants and American citizens to help the immigrants obtain legal residency in the United States.

Prosecutors allege that participants were instructed to take steps to make the marriages appear genuine. These included opening joint bank accounts, obtaining life insurance policies and taking photographs together as married couples. The measures were intended to convince immigration authorities that the relationships were legitimate.

Five of the six defendants were arrested on Wednesday, authorities said. The sixth defendant is being held in a state prison in connection with an unrelated firearms offense.

The defendants face charges related to conspiracy, marriage fraud and assisting immigrants in unlawfully remaining in the United States. Investigators allege that proceeds from the scheme were invested in businesses and properties overseas.

Some of the defendants are also accused of concealing information about their marital status and income on applications for government food assistance. The investigation is ongoing.

Marrying a US citizen and applying for a green card on that basis is a lawful immigration pathway. However, entering into a marriage solely to obtain immigration benefits can constitute marriage fraud under US law.

Immigrants seeking residency through marriage should ensure that their applications are based on genuine marital relationships and that all supporting information and documents are accurate. Immigration authorities may request various forms of evidence to assess whether a marriage is genuine. However, joint bank accounts or photographs alone do not automatically establish the authenticity of a relationship.

The charges are allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.