On March 12, 2024, in a landmark case exposing widespread abuse of the immigration system, four individuals from Los Angeles have been sentenced in federal court in Boston for their roles in running a marriage fraud agency that facilitated over 600 sham marriages to circumvent U.S. immigration laws.
The defendants, Philippine nationals Marcialito Biol Benitez (known as “Mars”), Juanita Pacson, Engilbert Ulan, and Nino Valmeo, operated an agency that paired foreign nationals with U.S. citizens in fraudulent marriages.
The goal: obtaining green cards for non-citizen clients under false pretenses, including fabricated claims of domestic abuse under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).
Key Players and Sentences
- Marcialito Biol Benitez (“Mars”), 50: The agency’s mastermind, sentenced to 22 months in prison and three years of supervised release.
- Engilbert Ulan, 43: Assisted with staging fake weddings and coaching clients, sentenced to 14 months in prison and three years of supervised release.
- Juanita Pacson, 48: Facilitated sham ceremonies and prepared fraudulent documents, sentenced to two years of supervised release with four months on home detention.
- Nino Valmeo, 47: Assisted with fraud applications and recruited clients, sentenced to three years of supervised release with six months on home confinement.
How the Scheme Operated
The agency, referred to as an “immigration consultancy,” charged clients $20,000 to $35,000 each to arrange sham marriages. Using a network of co-conspirators, the agency staged elaborate fake wedding ceremonies, complete with prop decorations, staged photographs, and fake officiants.
Benitez employed Ulan, Valmeo, and Pacson to recruit U.S. citizens willing to marry foreign nationals for payment. The agency also rented apartment addresses to clients to falsify proof of cohabitation for their immigration applications.
Coaching Sham Couples
One of the agency’s key strategies involved preparing couples to deceive U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officials during green card interviews. Ulan conducted practice sessions where couples rehearsed fabricated answers to questions commonly asked by immigration officers.
Additionally, the agency provided fake documentation, including fabricated financial records and false testimonies, to make the marriages appear legitimate.
Exploiting VAWA Provisions
In a particularly egregious aspect of the fraud, the agency leveraged the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) to obtain green cards for clients whose fake marriages fell apart. By filing false claims of domestic abuse and securing fraudulent restraining orders, the agency manipulated provisions designed to protect genuine victims of spousal abuse.
The Scope of the Fraud
Between 2016 and 2022, the agency facilitated over 600 fraudulent marriages and submitted false immigration petitions on behalf of its clients. The large-scale operation highlights significant vulnerabilities in the immigration system and the importance of continued oversight by federal authorities.
Collaboration and Prosecution
The case was a collaborative effort involving the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy commended the coordinated efforts of federal agencies and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, which assisted in the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys David M. Holcomb and Leslie A. Wright prosecuted the case.
Message from Authorities
“This case demonstrates that those who exploit our immigration system will be held accountable,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Levy. “The coordinated effort of law enforcement agencies underscores our commitment to preserving the integrity of the U.S. immigration system.”
A Warning Against Fraud
The sentencing of Benitez and his co-defendants serves as a stark warning to those attempting to manipulate the immigration system. Federal authorities remain vigilant in uncovering and prosecuting fraud, ensuring that U.S. immigration laws are applied fairly and justly.