Federal indictment accuses 11 in New York of operating 10-year marriage-fraud network

On August 12, 11 individuals from New York were arrested and arraigned by ICE Homeland Security Investigations along with its partners from the Homeland Security Task Force, in connection with a long-standing nationwide marriage fraud operation that is believed to have amassed tens of millions of dollars from foreign nationals seeking lawful permanent resident status.

The accused are alleged to have matched foreign nationals with U.S. citizens—who often met for the first time just prior to obtaining a marriage license—organized fraudulent wedding ceremonies, and staged photographs to create the illusion of legitimate marriages.

Additionally, the network is charged with submitting hundreds of fraudulent green card applications and supporting documents to USCIS.

Approximately 1,000 sham marriages were executed between U.S. citizens and Chinese nationals to unlawfully obtain Green Cards, with foreign clients being charged as much as $100,000.

Operating across various U.S. states and internationally, each defendant faces a potential sentence of up to 15 years in federal prison.