• 991

An investigation by Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) has resulted in a federal grand jury indictment charging 96 people for their alleged roles in a large-scale marriage fraud scheme to illegally obtain admission and immigrant status in the U.S. According to the criminal charges, each beneficiary spouse entered into an agreement in which they paid approx. $50,000 to $70,000 to obtain full U.S. permanent resident status. The indictment alleges the spouses did not live together and did not intend to do so (contrary to statements submitted to USCIS); the spouses only met briefly, usually immediately before they obtained their marriage license, or not at all; fake wedding albums were made that included photographs to make it appear as if the spouses had a wedding ceremony; and that the spouses submitted false tax, utility and employment information to USCIS. The charges carry penalties ranging from five-year prison to 20-year federal prison sentences.