Federal prosecutors say a Massachusetts woman operated a marriage fraud network for more than a decade, charging immigrants up to $40,000 for fraudulent marriages while collecting public assistance and investing proceeds overseas.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Federal authorities charged six Massachusetts residents Wednesday, Oct. 21, in connection with an alleged marriage fraud operation that prosecutors say arranged hundreds of sham marriages between U.S. citizens and immigrants living in the country unlawfully, generating more than $6 million over approximately 12 years.
Jennifer Gonzalez, 43, of Fall River, allegedly organized the scheme, charging customers between $38,000 and $40,000 to arrange marriages intended to help them obtain legal immigration status. Prosecutors estimate that the operation facilitated approximately 18 to 20 fraudulent marriages annually.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts, Gonzalez coordinated payments to American citizens who agreed to marry customers and coached participants on creating documentation that would make the relationships appear legitimate to federal immigration authorities. <Cite refs={[“turn464769search0″,”turn464769news22”]}/>
The defendants include Erica Daniels, 29; Chreise Alejandro, 39; Amara Pugh, 31; and Jaylin Hill, 26, all of Fall River, along with Jessica Tavares, 31, of Attleboro.
All six face charges involving conspiracy to harbor immigrants unlawfully present in the United States, harboring, conspiracy to commit marriage fraud and marriage fraud.
Gonzalez, Daniels, Alejandro, Pugh and Tavares were arrested Wednesday morning. Hill was already serving a state prison sentence for a firearms offense. Initial federal court appearances were scheduled throughout the afternoon.
Prosecutors allege Gonzalez recruited Daniels, Alejandro, Tavares and Hill, all U.S. citizens, to enter fraudulent marriages with customers seeking immigration benefits. Pugh, also an American citizen, allegedly worked as the operation’s secretary.
The purported marriages were supported by fabricated evidence of legitimate relationships. Gonzalez allegedly instructed customers to open joint bank accounts, purchase life insurance policies and take photographs together to support immigration applications.
Customers were told the documentation process would require approximately three to four months before they could submit applications to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Investigators also allege that participants commonly paid $500 monthly to their assigned spouses or someone associated with them to maintain the arrangements.
During an undercover investigation, Gonzalez was allegedly recorded arranging a fraudulent marriage, accepting a $3,000 cash down payment and directing a customer to sign a document disguised as a loan agreement.
According to court records, Gonzalez explained that references to the prospective spouse had been deliberately excluded because such information would be “incriminating.”
Federal investigators say the agreements were designed to conceal the actual purpose of the payments while creating records that could support the operation if customers questioned their financial obligations.
U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley said the alleged business exploited the immigration system while generating substantial income for its participants.
“My hope is that today the charged defendants and others like them realize that the American dream is not for sale, it is earned,” Foley said. “And when you try to pilfer it for profit, we will hold you accountable.” <Cite ref=”turn464769search1″/>
Prosecutors also allege Gonzalez used money generated by the operation to purchase businesses and real estate in the Dominican Republic.
Investigators recorded conversations in which she discussed foreign investments and described Massachusetts as a favorable location for immigrants because of state policies and available public assistance.
“Massachusetts is the best place for you to be. That is a fact,” Gonzalez allegedly told a cooperating witness.
The investigation uncovered additional allegations involving federal and state assistance programs.
Prosecutors say multiple defendants submitted Massachusetts food assistance applications claiming they had never been married while simultaneously sponsoring purported spouses through federal immigration proceedings.
Gonzalez allegedly received more than $120,000 in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits while earning substantial income from the marriage operation.
Authorities contend that she failed to disclose her actual earnings when seeking assistance and continued collecting benefits while investing in overseas property.
The allegations extend to possible housing and unemployment assistance fraud, according to investigators. Those findings remain part of the continuing investigation.
Attorney General Todd Blanche commented on the arrests Wednesday, describing the alleged network as a longstanding effort to obtain immigration benefits through fraudulent marriages.
“For more than a decade, hundreds of sham marriages were allegedly arranged in Massachusetts to fraudulently obtain U.S. citizenship. Now, this alleged marriage fraud ring has been dismantled,” Blanche wrote on X.
“The fraudster even ‘stopped doing weddings at the end of 2024 when Trump was becoming President’ because they knew Trump would enforce the law.”
The statement referred to investigators’ allegations that Gonzalez suspended arranging marriages as President Donald Trump prepared to return to office.
Federal officials have not announced charges against the immigrants who allegedly paid for the marriages, although investigators said the case remains open and additional enforcement actions are possible.
The operation involved Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and several federal inspectors general, including investigators from the departments of Agriculture, Labor and Housing and Urban Development. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service also assisted.
Prosecutors said the alleged conduct undermined immigration procedures intended to allow legitimate spouses of American citizens to pursue lawful permanent residence.
Marriage fraud and conspiracy to commit marriage fraud each carry potential penalties of up to five years in federal prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine.
Harboring immigrants unlawfully present in the country and conspiracy to commit that offense each carry potential sentences of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine.
The charges are allegations, and all six defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. Federal prosecutors said their investigation into the alleged marriage network and related financial activities is continuing.
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