The U.S. Department of Justice has filed federal charges against six individuals in Massachusetts for allegedly running a fraudulent marriage scheme designed to help undocumented immigrants gain permanent residency. This illicit operation, which authorities claim lasted over a decade, reportedly generated millions of dollars.
According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the alleged mastermind is Jennifer González, a 43-year-old resident of Fall River, Massachusetts. She is accused of orchestrating fake marriages for at least ten years as part of this illegal enterprise.
Charges and Accused Individuals
Alongside González, five others are facing charges: Erica Daniels (29), Chreise Alejandro (39), Amara Pugh (31), and Jaylin Hill (26), all from Fall River, as well as Jessica Tavares (31) from Attleboro.
On October 21, five of the accused were arrested, while Hill was already serving a state sentence for a firearm-related offense.
The charges include conspiracy to harbor undocumented immigrants, harboring undocumented immigrants, conspiracy to commit marriage fraud, and marriage fraud itself. Some of these charges carry potential penalties of up to ten years in prison and fines reaching $250,000 per charge.
Operation of the Fraudulent Scheme
Authorities detail that González charged between $38,000 and $40,000 for each fake marriage she organized. The operation allegedly arranged 18 to 20 false unions annually, amassing substantial yearly profits for over ten years.
It is claimed that González compensated Daniels, Alejandro, Tavares, and Hill, all U.S. citizens, to marry her undocumented clients. Pugh was said to act as the scheme's "secretary."
Clients reportedly submitted fraudulent documentation to the USCIS to apply for permanent residency. González is accused of advising clients to purchase life insurance policies, open joint bank accounts, and take photos as a couple. They were also instructed to make monthly $500 payments to the supposed spouse. Contracts were disguised as "loan" agreements to conceal the true nature of the transactions.
Authorities allege that González was recorded on audio and video explaining that the contract deliberately avoided mentioning the spouse to prevent self-incrimination. She allegedly accepted a cash down payment of $3,000.
Massachusetts' "Sanctuary State" Status
González, in recorded conversations cited by officials, leveraged Massachusetts' reputation as a "sanctuary state" to persuade clients of the benefits of residing there. "I think you can, okay? Because this state is a sanctuary, like Trump doesn't like this state because the government here, the state, defends us a lot," she reportedly told a cooperating witness. She added, "Massachusetts is the best place to be. That's a fact."
She also acknowledged that immigration conditions had become more stringent under the new administration.
González is said to have invested her profits in businesses and real estate in the Dominican Republic, referring to it as "her country."
Alleged Fraud on Social Assistance Programs
The investigation uncovered that several accused individuals provided false information on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) applications, falsely claiming they had never been married while simultaneously filing federal immigration petitions on behalf of their supposed spouses.
González allegedly received over $120,000 in SNAP benefits while purportedly managing the network and acquiring properties abroad.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Department of Housing and Urban Development were also involved in the investigation.
Other Marriage Fraud Cases in the U.S.
In August 2026, the Department of Justice charged 11 people with organizing a network of over 1,000 sham marriages between U.S. citizens and Chinese nationals across eight states. Participants reportedly charged up to $100,000 for facilitating residency acquisition.
USCIS employs various tactics to detect potential marriage fraud, such as separate interviews for spouses, home visits, and verification of information provided in immigration applications.
Immigration attorney Liudmila Marcelo has highlighted the severe consequences of such practices for those seeking to regularize their status in the United States. As quoted by CiberCuba, she stated: "Fraud is never the solution to anyone's immigration problems, because it really complicates your situation for life."
Federal prosecutor Leah B. Foley emphasized when announcing the charges: "The American dream is not for sale. It is earned. And when you try to steal it for profit, we will hold you accountable."
The investigation remains ongoing.
This case is part of a constantly evolving immigration landscape. Stay updated on processes, requirements, and alerts in our Immigration in the U.S. section.
Understanding Marriage Fraud and Its Consequences
What charges are the accused facing?
The accused individuals face charges of conspiracy to harbor undocumented immigrants, harboring undocumented immigrants, conspiracy to commit marriage fraud, and marriage fraud.
How much did each fraudulent marriage cost?
Each fraudulent marriage arranged by the network allegedly cost between $38,000 and $40,000.
What was the role of Jennifer González in the scheme?
Jennifer González is accused of being the mastermind behind the fraudulent marriage scheme, organizing and orchestrating the fake unions for over a decade.