WASHINGTON — Federal authorities have apprehended 10 individuals alleged to have orchestrated a marriage fraud operation spanning a decade, which facilitated approximately 1,000 fraudulent unions between Chinese nationals and U.S. citizens to secure green cards for the former.
The suspects, taken into custody on Wednesday, are facing charges related to conspiring to commit marriage fraud and immigration document fraud, along with conspiracy to promote the unlawful residency of aliens in the United States.
The fraudulent marriages were reportedly sold for as much as $100,000 each and involved submitting false applications to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) primarily for Chinese nationals seeking permanent residency.
According to a 21-page indictment from the Southern District of New York, the scheme also implicated attorneys, tax preparers, and fake marriage officiants. Prosecutors revealed that American participants in these bogus marriages were compensated approximately $30,000 for their involvement.
Officials are set to provide further details during a 1 p.m. press conference at the Department of Justice headquarters in Washington.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
