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US charges six people in alleged Massachusetts marriage fraud ring
The Guardian • • nation
Key Points:
- Federal prosecutors charged six individuals in Massachusetts for orchestrating a decade-long sham marriage scheme to help immigrants unlawfully obtain green cards and potential U.S. citizenship.
- Jennifer Gonzalez, the alleged mastermind, reportedly organized around 18 to 20 fraudulent marriages annually, generating over $6 million in profits by charging $38,000 to $40,000 per sham marriage.
- The scheme operated for about 12 years in Massachusetts, described by Gonzalez as a "sanctuary" state offering support to immigrants, and became more difficult after the Trump administration's return in 2025.
- U.S. Attorney Leah Foley condemned the operation as a sophisticated fraud and emphasized that the American dream is earned, not for sale, signaling ongoing investigations and potential future charges.
- Gonzalez faces charges including harboring illegal immigrants and marriage fraud, with additional defendants accused of aiding the scheme or entering sham marriages; the investigation remains active.
