A New Jersey couple has been arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in connection with an alleged green card marriage scam aimed at evading U.S. immigration laws.
According to ICE officials, the pair, residents of Jersey City, were accused of entering a fraudulent marriage arrangement for the sole purpose of obtaining lawful permanent resident status.
The authorities allege that the marriage was not legitimate and was instead a planned attempt to bypass the immigration process.
The man, a U.S. citizen, is accused of accepting money in exchange for marrying a non-citizen woman, who sought permanent residency in the U.S. through the marriage.
Officials claim the couple misrepresented their relationship on official immigration documents, including their I-130 petition, which is filed by a U.S. citizen or permanent resident to sponsor a spouse for a green card.
ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) worked together on the case.
They conducted interviews, reviewed documents, and used surveillance to determine that the marriage lacked the legal and emotional elements typically expected in a bona fide marital relationship.
The couple allegedly did not live together, failed to provide consistent answers during immigration interviews, and couldn’t produce shared financial records or photos to prove a genuine relationship. These inconsistencies reportedly raised red flags during the USCIS vetting process.
Federal investigators say that such green card fraud schemes are not only illegal but also undermine the integrity of the U.S. immigration system. They emphasized that marriage-based immigration benefits are meant for genuine relationships, not arrangements made solely for convenience or financial gain.
“This type of fraud puts at risk the credibility of our entire immigration process,” said a spokesperson from ICE HSI. “We will continue to hold accountable those who attempt to game the system for personal benefit.”
Both individuals now face federal charges related to immigration fraud, including conspiracy to defraud the United States, providing false statements, and misuse of immigration documents.
If convicted, they could face significant prison time, fines, and future immigration consequences, such as permanent inadmissibility to the U.S.
ICE encourages the public to report suspected marriage fraud through its tip line or website, stating that public assistance is often helpful in identifying fraud patterns and networks.
In recent years, federal agencies have increased their efforts to crack down on fake marriages, especially as the number of marriage-based green card applications continues to grow. According to USCIS, while most applications are legitimate, fraud cases do occur and are taken seriously.
Marriage fraud is considered a federal crime under Title 8 of the U.S. Code, and violators can face up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. The foreign national involved in the fraud may also face removal proceedings and be permanently barred from reentering the United States.
This latest arrest in New Jersey is part of an ongoing national effort to detect and prevent marriage fraud. Authorities say the case is still under investigation and more details will be made available as the legal process continues.