11 Arrested in Green Card Sham Marriage Fraud Ring
Could a green card application be flagged because someone in your network was part of a fraud ring? Federal prosecutors in New York just unsealed charges against 11 people who allegedly ran one of the largest sham marriage schemes in U.S. history — over 1,000 fake marriages, hundreds of fraudulent green card applications, and tens of millions of dollars collected from foreign nationals, mostly Chinese citizens. USCIS says it helped build the case and is actively hunting for more fraud.
What if you paid someone to help you get a green card — and that person just got arrested? That is the real question facing anyone who may have used a broker, facilitator, or fixer to arrange a marriage-based green card application. On August 12, 2026, federal prosecutors in the Southern District of New York unsealed an indictment charging 11 people with running a nationwide and international marriage fraud network from at least 2016 through July 2026. U.S. Attorney Jamie McDonald called it "one of the largest marriage fraud schemes charged in United States history."
How the scheme worked
The network had a clear structure. Facilitators found foreign nationals willing to pay — sometimes up to $100,000 — for a sham marriage to a U.S. citizen. Recruiters then found willing U.S. citizens and paid them as much as $30,000, in installments tied to milestones in the green card process. Assistants prepared the immigration paperwork and coached participants on what to say during USCIS interviews. The ring also used marriage officiants, attorneys, tax preparers, and insurance providers to make the fake marriages look real. Participants staged wedding photos, opened joint bank accounts, filed joint tax returns, and rehearsed false answers for immigration officers. According to the indictment, the network operated not only across the U.S. — including in Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee — but also overseas, including in China and Vanuatu.
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What the government is doing now
USCIS Director Joseph B. Edlow said the agency is "aggressively pursuing marriage fraud schemes and the criminal organizations and ringleaders who profit from them." USCIS's Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate was part of the investigation, alongside Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the FBI, the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division, and the Westchester County District Attorney's Office. Law enforcement executed search warrants in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, and Flushing, Queens on the day of the arrests. Each of the 11 defendants faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted on the most serious charge. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
What to do
- If you filed a marriage-based green card application (Form I-485, the application for a green card from inside the U.S.) and used a third-party broker or facilitator, speak with an immigration attorney immediately — before USCIS contacts you.
- If USCIS schedules an interview or sends a Request for Evidence (RFE) on your marriage-based case, do not ignore it. Lawyers recommend responding fully and on time, with an attorney present if possible.
- If you are a U.S. citizen who participated in a sham marriage arrangement, even if you were paid, you may face federal criminal charges. Consult a criminal defense attorney right away.
- To report suspected marriage fraud or immigration benefit abuse, USCIS provides a tip form at uscis.gov.
What to do, step by step — see our guide “I-601/I-601A Waiver”.
Fishkin Law Firm, New York
When USCIS investigates a marriage fraud ring, it often reviews all cases connected to known participants — including people who may have had no idea their preparer or recruiter was part of a scheme. If your green card application was prepared by someone now under investigation, you have the right to withdraw or correct that application, and in some situations, a voluntary disclosure to USCIS may be less damaging than waiting for the agency to act. Anyone whose case touches this network should consult an immigration attorney before responding to any government inquiry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I lose my green card if I was in a real marriage but used a broker who turned out to be part of a fraud ring?
Possibly. USCIS can reopen or revoke a green card if it finds that the application contained false statements or was prepared by someone involved in fraud — even if you did not know about the fraud. An immigration attorney can review your case and help you respond if USCIS contacts you.
What happens if USCIS suspects my marriage was fake?
USCIS can deny your green card application, refer your case to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), or place you in removal proceedings (the formal process that can lead to deportation). You have the right to appear before an immigration judge and present evidence that your marriage was genuine.
Is it a crime to be a U.S. citizen who participated in a sham marriage for money?
Yes. Under federal law, marriage fraud is a crime for both the foreign national and the U.S. citizen involved. The charge in this case carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison for the marriage fraud count and up to 10 years on the additional conspiracy charge.
How does USCIS detect sham marriages?
USCIS's Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate reviews applications for red flags such as couples who met immediately before the wedding, identical paperwork across multiple cases, and inconsistent answers during interviews. In this case, USCIS worked with HSI and the FBI over multiple years to build the criminal case.