The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), also known as the Immigration Department, released a statement on Tuesday, February 10th, announcing that they had received “key assistance” in an investigation that led to the indictment of 11 individuals for alleged involvement in a federal marriage fraud and bribery conspiracy.
According to the indictment, these 11 individuals are accused of conspiring to recruit American citizens, preferably active-duty military personnel, to enter into fake marriages with Chinese citizens to help them evade immigration laws and obtain legal permanent resident status (green cards) unlawfully.
Two of the 11 individuals were charged with arranging a fake marriage in Jacksonville, Florida in August 2024.
Four former U.S. Navy servicemen have pleaded guilty to charges related to the same conspiracy, and sentencing hearings have yet to be conducted.
The indictment also alleges that three of the 11 individuals conspired to bribe a public official.
The indictment only represents formal charges against the 11 defendants for violating one or more federal criminal laws; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
These sham marriage schemes took place in Florida, New York, Connecticut, and Nevada.
To create the facade of a legitimate marriage, the conspirators took photos of these “couples” and submitted them to immigration officials to prove the legitimacy of these marriages, which were supposed to be based on love and loyalty.
According to a prearranged payment plan among the conspirators, the American citizens were to receive an upfront payment upon marrying the Chinese citizens, a second payment after the Chinese citizens obtained legal immigration status, and a final payment after the couples divorced.