Federal authorities in Massachusetts have charged six individuals with a decade-long marriage fraud scheme that helped illegal aliens obtain fraudulent immigration status. The operation, led by Jennifer Gonzalez, allegedly generated millions of dollars through fake marriages arranged between illegal immigrants and U.S. citizens.
According to a federal criminal complaint filed by Leah Foley, U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts, Gonzalez ran the scheme for approximately 10 years, arranging 18 to 20 sham marriages annually at a cost of $38,000 to $40,000 per couple. Prosecutors allege she used the proceeds from these fraudulent transactions to purchase real estate and businesses in the Dominican Republic.
The scheme involved Gonzalez paying four U.S. citizens—Daniels, Alejandro, Tavares, and Hill—to marry illegal aliens so those clients could submit false documents to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for legal immigration status. Pugh, another U.S. citizen, served as the business’s secretary.
Gonzalez allegedly instructed her clients on creating a facade of legitimacy, including establishing joint bank accounts, life insurance policies, and taking selfies as couples. She required clients to sign contracts with monthly payments and emphasized they would need to remain married for at least three years.
The complaint reveals Gonzalez was captured on video directing the printing and signing of disguised “loan” contracts and accepting a $3,000 cash down payment from one client. She told that client the contract intentionally omitted the spouse’s name to avoid being “incriminating.”
In a separate incident, Gonzalez married a Brazilian man—designated as “J.P.” in the complaint—who was ordered deported by a judge on October 16, 2019. For seven years following this marriage, she allegedly defrauded SNAP benefits by not claiming him as her husband. Prosecutors state she spent over $120,000 in food stamps while running the scheme and purchasing property in the Dominican Republic.
The federal charges include harboring illegal aliens and conspiracy to commit immigration fraud under 8 U.S.C. § 1324. According to the complaint, Gonzalez also described Massachusetts as a sanctuary state during conversations with a cooperating witness, stating it was “the best place for you to be.”
