10 were arrested with more to come in this ongoing operation
BALTIMORE – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services played an important part in an investigation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Department of State Diplomatic Security Service, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Maryland, which led to the arrests in a nationwide marriage fraud operation. Additionally, four individuals were indicted for facilitating visa and marriage fraud. Through persistent and coordinated investigative work, ICE Homeland Security Investigations and USCIS identified cases in which immigration benefits were sought through fraudulent marriages. They administratively arrested 10 individuals April 24.
In April 2022, HSI Maryland’s Document and Benefit Fraud/El Dorado Task Force, with assistance from USCIS, began investigating individuals suspected of entering sham marriages with foreign nationals to obtain immigration benefits. After investigation and interviews with petitioners and beneficiaries, USCIS determined that marriages were arranged by Ella Zuran, Tatiana Sigal, and Alexandra Tkach, all residents of New York City. They were paid thousands of dollars for facilitating and coordinating sham weddings, including the preparation of false immigration forms and fake health status attestations in connection with applications for immigration benefits.
Shawnta Hopper of Sicklerville, New Jersey, was also included in the federal grand jury indictment. She encouraged several U.S. citizens to participate in fraudulent marriages with foreign nationals for financial gain. She received compensation to recruit women in Baltimore and other locations to enter into sham marriages.
“Some marriages are made in heaven. Some are just made up,” said USCIS spokesperson Matthew Tragesser. “Our work with ICE crushed a marriage fraud ring where U.S. citizens were paid to marry aliens. Under Secretary Noem, fraudsters are walking out in handcuffs. Buying a spouse doesn’t make you a citizen.”
Individuals involved have had their immigration benefits revoked as part of this investigation.
Associated video and photos:
B-roll 1080p 60fps: https://vimeo.com/1078655053/93f663f8f5?share=copy
Photos 4k: https://vimeo.com/1078657250/a4f83e442c?share=copy
Complete Press Conference recording: https://vimeo.com/1078677839?share=copy
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