Guam Couple Sentenced for Green Card Marriage Fraud
They married on Christmas Eve, filed the paperwork, and got a green card — but they never lived together, not even for a single day. A Korean national and a woman from Guam kept up the lie for over 14 years before federal investigators caught up with them. Now one of them faces possible deportation, and the case is a warning for anyone tempted to use a fake marriage to get a green card.
What happened in Guam
Jung Hoon Song, 49, from the Republic of Korea, and Bonnie Jo C. Quichocho, 50, from Guam, were sentenced on July 2, 2026 after both pleaded guilty to immigration fraud charges in the District of Guam. Their scheme started in January 2008 and ran until May 2022 — more than 14 years.
The two married on December 24, 2011. Shortly after, they filed Form I-130 (a petition used to sponsor a foreign family member for a green card) and Form G-325A (a biographic information form) with USCIS. In those documents, they falsely claimed they lived together in Guam. Based on those filings, Song received conditional permanent resident status — a green card valid for two years — on June 7, 2012. Then, on May 7, 2014, they filed Form I-751 (a petition to remove the conditions on a green card and make it permanent), again lying about living together. In reality, they never shared a home at any point before or after the wedding. They divorced on May 17, 2018.
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Song was sentenced to one year of probation, a $500 fine, and a $100 special assessment fee. He must also report to immigration officials, who may start deportation proceedings (the formal legal process to remove someone from the US) against him. Quichocho received six months of probation, a $500 fine, and a $100 special assessment fee. USCIS's Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate and Homeland Security Investigations – Guam worked together to uncover the fraud. USCIS spokesman Zach Kahler said the agency will "relentlessly pursue marriage fraud to protect the lawful immigration process."
Why this matters for green card applicants
This case shows that USCIS actively investigates marriages it suspects are not real. Investigators look for things like different addresses, no shared finances, no photos together, and conflicting answers during separate interviews. A green card obtained through fraud can be taken away at any time — even years later. The person who helped commit the fraud, like Quichocho, can also face criminal charges even if they are a US citizen or permanent resident.
What to do
- If you are in a real marriage and applying for a green card, gather strong evidence: joint bank statements, lease agreements, photos together, and shared bills. USCIS will look for proof that your marriage is genuine.
- If you are already a green card holder and your status was based on marriage, keep records of your shared life even after you receive your permanent card — investigators can review past filings.
- If you are facing a USCIS interview about your marriage, immigration lawyers recommend preparing together and separately, since officers often interview spouses in different rooms and compare answers.
- If you suspect someone is committing immigration benefit fraud, you can report it using the USCIS Tip Form at uscis.gov.
Fishkin Law Firm, New York
Marriage fraud cases like this one show that USCIS does not have a statute of limitations on reviewing how a green card was obtained — Song's conditional residence from 2012 was still being examined a decade later. If you are a green card holder whose status was based on marriage and you receive a Request for Evidence (RFE) or a Notice to Appear (NTA, the document that starts removal proceedings in immigration court), do not respond or appear without legal representation. An attorney can also assess whether any past misrepresentation on immigration forms creates current risk and advise on your options before deportation proceedings begin.