Just living the American Dream
BOSTON, Mass. — Eleven people have been charged with running a “large-scale” marriage fraud agency based in California, which arranged hundreds of sham marriages to circumvent immigration laws, the U.S. Attorney’s office announced Thursday.
The agency prepared and submitted false petitions, applications and other documents to substantiate the marriages and secure adjustment of clients’ immigration status, charging between $20,000 and $30,000 in cash, according to the U.S. Attorney.
The allegations include staging fake wedding ceremonies with photographs taken in front of prop wedding decorations, submitting fraudulent marriage-based petitions to Citizenship and Immigration Services and coaching fraudulent couples on how to maintain the appearance of a legitimate marriage, federal authorities say.
Further, when clients’ spouses became unresponsive or uncooperative, the agency would seek green cards under the Violence Against Women Act by claiming abuse on the part of the American spouses, according to the U.S. Attorney.
- Marcialito Biol Benitez, a/k/a “Mars,” 48, a Philippine national residing in Los Angeles;
- Engilbert Ulan, a/k/a “Angel,” 39, a Philippine national residing in Los Angeles;
- Nino Reyes Valmeo, 45, a Philippine national residing in Los Angeles;
- Harold Poquita, 30, a Philippine national residing in Los Angeles;
- Juanita Pacson, 45, a Philippine national residing in Los Angeles;
- Felipe Capindo David, a/k/a “Pilipi” or “Peebles,” 49, a Philippine national residing in Los Angeles;
- Peterson Souza, 34, a Brazilian national residing in Anaheim, Calif.