How far would someone go with “marriage” just to get a U.S. Green Card?
Find a U.S. citizen, get a marriage certificate, hold a wedding, take joint photos, open a joint account, buy insurance, file joint tax returns, and even memorize marital details in advance to prepare for the immigration officer's interview.
It sounds like a TV drama, but a case recently announced by the U.S. Department of Justice is even more dramatic than fiction.
On August 12 local time, the U.S. Department of Justice announced charges against 11 defendants suspected of participating in a large-scale marriage immigration fraud network.
According to disclosures by the Department of Justice, this network operated for over a decade, arranging more than 1,000 sham marriages. It primarily arranged for foreign applicants, including Chinese nationals, to marry U.S. citizens to assist them in applying for U.S. permanent resident status.
The U.S. Department of Justice stated that this is one of the largest marriage fraud cases in U.S. history.
A “Fake Wedding” Costing Up to $100,000
This business had developed into a remarkably complete assembly line.
According to information disclosed by the Department of Justice, the network operated continuously from at least 2016 to July 2026. Although primarily centered in New York, its operations spanned multiple U.S. states.
Foreign applicants seeking to obtain Green Cards through this scheme paid fees as high as $100,000.
Among them, participating U.S. citizens could receive up to approximately $30,000, while recruiters received commissions of up to about $5,000 for introducing a U.S. citizen.
Once the money was paid, the real “performance” began.
Some so-called couples met for the very first time right before obtaining their marriage certificates; they would then hold weddings and pose for photos to make the relationship look genuine. To convince USCIS that the marriage was real, they went on to fabricate evidence of “living together,” such as opening joint accounts, paying joint utility bills, submitting joint tax returns, and buying insurance. In the event of an immigration interview, specialists helped both parties align their answers in advance, coaching them on how to answer questions about married life and daily habits.
From finding marriage partners and preparing weddings to fabricating documents and handling interviews, a complete “Green Card assembly line” was established behind these sham marriages.
Getting the Green Card Does Not Mean You Are Out of the Woods
Many people may fall into a misconception: As long as the interview is passed and the Green Card is approved, are you safely home free?
Not at all.
U.S. federal law explicitly stipulates that knowingly entering into a marriage for the purpose of evading U.S. immigration laws constitutes marriage fraud, punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
From an immigration perspective, willfully providing false facts or making material misrepresentations to immigration authorities can lead to subsequent immigration eligibility issues. The USCIS Policy Manual explicitly includes marriage fraud within the scope of review for fraud and willful misrepresentation.
Therefore, a truly stable status is not just about obtaining a card in the moment; more importantly, the foundation of the application must be genuine and the documents legal, capable of withstanding subsequent scrutiny.
This is what truly merits attention in this marriage fraud case.
For Long-Term U.S. Residence, Immigration Should Follow a Legal Path
Over 1,000 sham marriages, up to $100,000 per deal, operating for over a decade……
While this case seems dramatic, the underlying lesson is quite simple:
There are no so-called “shortcuts” in status planning.
Whether for short-term visits or long-term study, work, and living in the United States, legality and compliance remain the fundamental prerequisites for status arrangements.
For families with clear long-term goals of relocating to the U.S., further consideration must be given to the sustainability of their status, as well as overall planning for children's education, employment, and family life.
For families with the appropriate investment capacity, EB-5 is one of the legal immigration pathways worth considering.
The EB-5 Investment Immigration Program is a legitimate immigration category established by the U.S. Congress through legislation. Since its creation in 1990, the EB-5 program has been operating for over 30 years. Its core mechanism lies in creating job opportunities for the U.S. through real investment, thereby helping eligible investors and their families apply for U.S. Green Cards.
From source of funds and project compliance to job creation and application documentation, every stage of EB-5 requires review in accordance with the law. Compared to so-called “shortcuts,” its key distinction lies in the fact that status is built upon real investment, authentic documents, and clear legal rules.
The $800,000 Window Remains Open; EB-5 Planning Should Be Done Sooner Rather Than Later
Currently, in qualifying Targeted Employment Area (TEA) projects, the minimum investment amount is $800,000. Meanwhile, rural EB-5 projects under the new law remain free of visa retrogression and enjoy priority processing. If applicants maintain lawful status within the U.S., they can concurrently file I-526E and I-485 adjustment of status applications while there is no visa backlog.
It is worth noting that starting January 1, 2027, the minimum EB-5 investment amount will increase from the current $800,000 to $900,000–$950,000 or even higher. This means the current $800,000 investment threshold has entered a crucial window.
WorldWay currently features two major EB-5 projects: the I-956F-approved “Deer Valley · Snowridge Lodge” and “Marriott · Royal Lake Bay Resort” (WorldWay's fifth collaboration with Peachtree Group), providing families seeking U.S. status planning with more high-quality project options. From now until August 31, clients applying for EB-5 immigration can also enjoy limited-time exclusive offers from WorldWay.
The significance of legal status has never been merely about “getting it.” More importantly, it is about securing it with peace of mind and maintaining it for the long term.
For families with clear long-term goals of moving to the U.S., taking advantage of the current $800,000 investment window and the limited-time offer period to launch their planning as early as possible is highly recommended.
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