Work Permit Fraud in CNMI: 66 EADs Revoked, Deportations Begin
A man in the Northern Mariana Islands filed hundreds of fake work permit applications and collected thousands of dollars from immigrants who trusted him. Sixty-six people got work permits they were never entitled to. Now those permits are gone — and deportation proceedings have begun.
A Filipino man living illegally in the US charged immigrants thousands of dollars to file fake work permit (EAD) applications — and for a while, it worked. Then a single USCIS officer noticed something was wrong, and everything unraveled fast.
What Happened
Venerando Aquino Martin, 56, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for visa fraud. Between September 23, 2023, and April 9, 2025, he submitted approximately 242 fraudulent applications. He falsely claimed that applicants qualified for immigration benefits under the "Registry" provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). That provision allows certain people who entered the US before January 1, 1972, to apply for a green card and receive a work permit while that application is pending. Martin charged applicants thousands of dollars for this service — even though nearly all of them were ineligible. Some were not even born before 1972. Before the fraud was caught, 66 work permits were issued and used by undocumented immigrants to get jobs in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI).
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How USCIS Caught the Fraud
A USCIS officer in Guam spotted a pattern in the cases Martin submitted. USCIS's Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate launched an investigation immediately. The agency then revoked all 66 work permits (called EADs — Employment Authorization Documents) and began removal proceedings — the formal legal process that can lead to deportation — against the people who used them. The court also ordered Martin to pay a $200 mandatory assessment fee and serve one year of supervised release after prison. The case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands.
What to Do
- Never pay someone who is not a licensed immigration attorney or accredited representative to file immigration forms on your behalf. Fraud preparers — sometimes called "notarios" — can destroy your case and put you at risk of deportation.
- If you already paid someone to file an application and you are not sure it was done correctly, contact a licensed immigration lawyer as soon as possible to review your case.
- If your work permit (EAD) was revoked or you received a notice about removal proceedings, do not ignore it. Attend all immigration court hearings — missing a hearing can result in a deportation order issued in your absence.
- To report suspected immigration fraud, use the official USCIS Tip Form at uscis.gov.
A full breakdown of this topic — in our guide “Work Permits (EAD)”.
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Anyone who received a work permit through a third-party preparer should verify that the underlying application was filed correctly and that they actually qualify for the benefit claimed — USCIS can revoke an EAD at any time if it was obtained through fraud, even if you were an innocent victim of the preparer. If you are now in removal proceedings, you may still have defenses available, but you must appear at every immigration court hearing or a deportation order can be issued without you present. Consult a licensed immigration attorney immediately to understand your options before your next court date.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Registry provision of immigration law?
The Registry provision is a part of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) that allows certain people who entered the US before January 1, 1972, to apply for a green card. While that application is pending, they may also receive a work permit. Very few people qualify because of the 1972 cutoff date.
My work permit was revoked. What happens now?
If USCIS revokes your work permit (EAD), you can no longer legally work in the US. You may also receive a notice that removal proceedings — the process that can lead to deportation — have started. You should speak with an immigration lawyer as soon as possible to understand if you have any defenses.
Can I get in trouble if I did not know my application was fake?
Possibly. Even if you did not know the preparer was committing fraud, USCIS can still revoke your work permit and start deportation proceedings. However, being an innocent victim may be a factor in your case. A licensed immigration attorney can help you explain your situation to the court.
How do I find a legitimate immigration lawyer or representative?
You can search for accredited representatives on the USCIS website at uscis.gov. A real immigration attorney will be licensed by a state bar. Be very careful of anyone who calls themselves a "notario" or charges large fees without clear credentials — this is a common sign of fraud.