Visa Fraud Scheme: 66 Work Permits Revoked in CNMI
A man living illegally in the US filed 242 fake work permit applications — and 66 people actually received those permits before anyone noticed. Now all 66 work permits have been revoked, and the people who used them face deportation. This case shows how immigration fraud can destroy the lives of both the victims and the people who trusted the wrong person.
A man living illegally in the US has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for running a large immigration fraud scheme in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). Venerando Aquino Martin, 56, a citizen of the Philippines, submitted approximately 242 fraudulent applications for work permits (called EADs, or Employment Authorization Documents) between September 23, 2023, and April 9, 2025. Before the fraud was detected, 66 of those work permits were actually issued — and used by people who were not legally authorized to work in the US.
How the Fraud Worked
Martin charged applicants thousands of dollars to file fake applications using a legal provision called the "Registry" under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). The Registry allows certain people who entered the US before January 1, 1972, to apply for a green card (permanent resident card) and receive a work permit while that application is pending. Martin falsely claimed his clients qualified under this rule. In reality, nearly all of them were ineligible — and some were not even born before 1972.
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A USCIS officer in Guam noticed a suspicious pattern in the cases Martin submitted. USCIS's Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate (FDNS) launched an investigation immediately. The case was prosecuted by the US Attorney's Office for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. In addition to 18 months in prison, Martin was ordered to serve one year of supervised release and pay a $200 mandatory assessment fee. USCIS revoked all 66 work permits and began deportation proceedings against the people who used them.
What to Do If You Used a Notario or Unauthorized Preparer
- If someone charged you money to file an immigration application and you are not sure it was legitimate, contact a licensed immigration attorney right away. Do not wait for USCIS to contact you first.
- Check your immigration records. You can create a USCIS online account at uscis.gov to see the status of any applications filed in your name.
- If you received a work permit (Form I-765, EAD) through a preparer you now suspect was dishonest, lawyers recommend telling USCIS proactively — this may help your case in removal proceedings (the formal process where a judge decides if you must leave the US).
- To report immigration benefit fraud, use the official USCIS Tip Form at uscis.gov. You can report anonymously.
Related: our step-by-step guide — “PERM Labor Certification”.
Fishkin Law Firm, New York
Anyone whose work permit (EAD) was revoked in a fraud case like this still has the right to appear before an immigration judge before being deported — do not skip your immigration court hearing. If you were a victim of a fraudulent preparer, that fact can be raised as a mitigating circumstance in removal proceedings, and in some cases it may support a motion to reopen your case. Consult a licensed immigration attorney as soon as possible to understand your options before a removal order is issued.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Registry provision, and who actually qualifies?
The Registry is a section of US immigration law that allows certain people to apply for a green card if they entered the US before January 1, 1972, have lived here continuously since then, and meet other requirements. Very few people qualify today because they would need to be at least in their mid-50s and have entered the US over 50 years ago.
If my work permit (EAD) was revoked because of fraud, can I be deported immediately?
Not immediately. USCIS must begin a formal removal process, which means you have the right to a hearing before an immigration judge. You should get legal help right away so you can present your case in court.
What is a 'notario' and why is using one dangerous?
In many Latin American and Asian countries, a 'notario' or notary public is a trained legal professional. In the US, a notary public is NOT a lawyer and cannot give legal immigration advice. People who pretend to offer immigration legal services without a law license are called unauthorized practitioners, and using them can result in fraudulent filings, revoked benefits, and even deportation.
How can I check if an immigration application was really filed in my name?
You can create a free account on the USCIS website (uscis.gov) to check the status of any applications associated with your information. If you see applications you did not authorize, contact a licensed immigration attorney immediately.