A Massachusetts woman accused of running a sprawling “green card” marriage fraud operation charged immigrants as much as $40,000 apiece to arrange sham marriages with U.S. citizens, federal prosecutors say. Jennifer Gonzalez, 43, of Fall River, Massachusetts, told a cooperating witness that she had been arranging fraudulent marriages for more than 10 years and was “very good at this,” according to the federal criminal complaint. Investigators allege the operation averaged about 18 to 20 sham marriages per year and that Gonzalez made hundreds of thousands of dollars annually.
Gonzalez, Erica Daniels, Cherice Alejandro, Amara Pugh, Jessica Tavares and Jaylin Hill were charged with offenses including marriage fraud, conspiracy to commit marriage fraud, harboring people in the country illegally and conspiracy to harbor them. It was not immediately clear if any of the defendants have legal representation. Newsweek reached out to the U.S.
Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts by email Wednesday for more information on the defendants' attorneys and further comment. The case comes as President Donald Trump's administration tightens immigration enforcement, a shift Gonzalez acknowledged during recorded conversations, according to the criminal complaint. She described it as a “very successful career” before warning that “we’re in a new government, things are a little bit more difficult.” Federal investigators say Gonzalez charged from $38,000 to $40,000 to arrange each fraudulent marriage.
The complaint also says she told the cooperating witness that her usual price was $40,000 but offered a reduced price of $38,000, with additional payments required for the proposed spouse. Per the complaint, when the witness joked about what would happen if the assigned spouse fell in love, Gonzalez responded, “We’re not here for love.” Federal prosecutors say Gonzalez matched clients with U.S. citizens and instructed them on creating the appearance of legitimate marriages. According to the complaint, Gonzalez discussed establishing joint bank accounts, life insurance, an apartment lease and other documentation before an immigration application was submitted.
Authorities say that Daniels, Alejandro, Tavares and Hill were paid to participate in one or more marriages, while Pugh worked as the “secretary.” In one case, per the complaint, a Brazilian national paid Gonzalez to arrange a marriage with Daniels. The government says Daniels agreed to receive $500 monthly while the marriage continued, with messages cited by investigators discussing those payments. Despite acknowledging stricter immigration enforcement under the new administration, prosecutors say Gonzalez lauded Massachusetts in recorded conversations.
Authorities also said she added, “Massachusetts is the best place for you to be. That is a fact.” Investigators say the operation had been running for around 12 years. Based on Gonzalez’s statements along with financial evidence, authorities say, she took in hundreds of thousands of dollars per year for at least a decade.
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