11 Arrested in Decade-Long Sham Marriage Green Card Scheme
Eleven people were arrested in New York on charges of running one of the largest sham marriage fraud schemes in US history — more than 1,000 fake marriages over a decade, with foreign nationals paying up to $100,000 each for a fraudulent green card. Federal prosecutors say the network collected tens of millions of dollars. USCIS officers were deceived through staged photos, coached interviews, and fake joint bank accounts.
From at least 2016 through July 2026, a network based in New York City arranged sham marriages between foreign nationals — primarily Chinese citizens — and US citizens across multiple states and overseas, including in China and Vanuatu. The indictment, unsealed by the Southern District of New York, names 11 defendants charged with conspiracy to commit marriage fraud and immigration fraud. US Attorney Jamie McDonald called it "one of the largest marriage fraud schemes charged in United States history."
How the scheme worked
The operation had a clear structure. Facilitators found foreign-national customers and matched them with willing US citizens, who were paid up to $30,000 each — in installments tied to milestones in the green card application process. Recruiters earned commissions of up to $5,000 per US citizen they brought in. Assistants prepared the immigration paperwork and coached couples on what to say during USCIS interviews. After fake wedding ceremonies — where many couples met for the first time right before getting a marriage license — participants staged photos, opened joint accounts, filed joint tax returns, and obtained insurance policies to make the marriages look real. Hundreds of fraudulent green card applications (Form I-485, the application for a green card from inside the US) were submitted to USCIS as a result.
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USCIS Director Joseph Edlow said the agency is "aggressively pursuing marriage fraud schemes and the criminal organizations and ringleaders who profit from them." Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the FBI, USCIS's Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate, the US Army Criminal Investigation Division, and the Westchester County District Attorney's Office all worked on the case. Each defendant faces up to five years in prison on the marriage fraud conspiracy count and up to ten years on the charge of encouraging unlawful residence of aliens. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
What this means for legitimate green card applicants
Cases like this lead USCIS to scrutinize marriage-based green card applications more carefully. Officers may ask more detailed questions at interviews, request more supporting documents, and take longer to approve petitions. If you are applying for a green card through a genuine marriage, thorough and consistent documentation is your strongest protection.
What to do
- If you are in a legitimate marriage-based green card process, gather strong evidence of your real relationship: joint lease or mortgage, shared bank statements, photos over time, correspondence, and affidavits from people who know you as a couple.
- Never pay anyone who promises to "arrange" a marriage or guarantee a green card — this is a federal crime that can result in deportation and criminal charges for both the foreign national and the US citizen.
- If you suspect someone is running a marriage fraud scheme, report it to USCIS using the official USCIS Tip Form at uscis.gov.
- If your green card application is delayed or you receive a Request for Evidence (RFE) after this kind of enforcement action, consult an immigration attorney before responding.
What to do, step by step — see our guide “How to Apply for a Green Card”.
Fishkin Law Firm, New York
Marriage-based green card applicants should expect heightened scrutiny following high-profile fraud prosecutions. USCIS officers are trained to look for inconsistencies in interview answers, thin documentation, and short courtship timelines — all red flags that can trigger a fraud referral even in genuine cases. If you receive a denial or a notice that your case has been referred to USCIS's Fraud Detection unit, do not respond without consulting an immigration attorney, as anything you say can be used against you in removal proceedings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I be deported if I unknowingly participated in a sham marriage scheme?
Yes. If USCIS determines your green card was obtained through marriage fraud — even if you claim you did not know the full extent of the scheme — your permanent resident status can be revoked and you can be placed in removal proceedings. Consult an immigration attorney immediately if you have any concerns about how your green card was obtained.
Will this case make it harder to get a green card through a real marriage?
It may slow processing times and lead to more detailed interviews and document requests. USCIS often increases scrutiny across the board after large fraud cases. Legitimate couples should prepare thorough evidence of their relationship to avoid delays.
What documents should I bring to a USCIS marriage-based green card interview?
Bring joint financial records (bank statements, tax returns), a lease or mortgage in both names, photos together over time, travel records showing trips taken together, and letters or messages between you. The more consistent and detailed your evidence, the better.
What happens to the US citizens who participated in sham marriages?
US citizens who knowingly enter sham marriages for immigration purposes can face federal criminal charges, including conspiracy to commit marriage fraud, which carries up to five years in prison. They are not protected from prosecution simply because they are citizens.