It was a typical day in midsummer 2021 when Engilbert Ulan found himself assisting a newlywed couple in Los Angeles, preparing them for an upcoming interview with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The husband, a foreign national, was in the process of applying for a green card and needed to prove the legitimacy of his marriage to his U.S. citizen wife. What Ulan didn’t reveal, however, was that he knew their marriage was a sham. Federal authorities have since discovered that Ulan had been involved in a massive marriage fraud scheme orchestrated by his boss, Marcialito “Mars” Biol Benitez. This scheme targeted Brazilian nationals who paid large sums of money, up to $30,000 in cash, for Benitez’s services.
Conviction and Charges:
Ulan, who is 42 years old and originally from the Philippines, was recently convicted by a federal jury in Boston on charges of conspiracy to commit marriage fraud and immigration document fraud. This conviction carries a potential sentence of up to five years in prison and a fine of $250,000. Benitez, on the other hand, had already pleaded guilty to orchestrating the marriage fraud enterprise, providing testimony against Ulan in the trial. It is possible that Benitez may receive a shorter sentence due to his cooperation with authorities.
The Defense’s Perspective:
Joseph Simons, Ulan’s attorney, argued that his client played a minor role in the fraudulent scheme, considering Benitez as the mastermind behind it. Simons referred to Benitez as the “architect of the arranged marriage business” while portraying Ulan as a hardworking individual seeking a better life for his family. Simons emphasized that Ulan had placed his trust in his boss and unwittingly became involved in the fraudulent immigration scheme. Despite this defense, Ulan’s conviction stands, and his sentencing is scheduled for March.
The FBI’s Warning:
Jodi Cohen, the special agent in charge of the FBI’s Boston division, emphasized that Ulan’s conviction should serve as a warning to others considering marriage fraud. Cohen stressed the honor and privilege of becoming an American citizen, and how Ulan’s actions undermined the integrity of the immigration process. Cohen further pointed out that Ulan and his co-conspirators broke immigration laws designed to protect public safety and disadvantaged individuals striving to obtain citizenship through lawful means.
Details of the Marriage Fraud Scheme:
According to authorities, Benitez operated his marriage fraud agency, Career Ad Management LLC, between October 2016 and March 2022 from offices located at 3325 Wilshire Blvd. in Los Angeles. The scheme involved orchestrating more than 300 “sham marriages” to assist clients in obtaining green cards. Court records revealed that the fraudulent marriages were well-organized and followed a blueprint set by Benitez.
Recruitment and Procedure:
Benitez enlisted the help of “brokers” to recruit U.S. citizens willing to pose as spouses for foreign nationals seeking permanent residency. Ulan and others played a role in identifying suitable foreign nationals through referrals and word of mouth. Ulan arranged introductory meetings to explain the scheme to clients, before introducing them to their prospective fake spouses. Clients received detailed payment schedules from Benitez, outlining upfront costs for wedding ceremonies and immigration document filing, as well as monthly payments to be made until the green card was obtained.
Ceremonies and Supporting Documentation:
Benitez’s employees accompanied the fake spouses to clothing stores to select outfits for the wedding ceremonies. Ulan helped with booking the couples’ marriage ceremony appointments. The chosen wedding chapels did not scrutinize the legitimacy of the marriages, and Ulan, sometimes with the assistance of an associate, decorated the chapels with props for the staged ceremonies. Photographs were taken as evidence of the events. Ulan assisted clients in filing fraudulent petitions and supporting documentation, while also advising them to open joint bank accounts, buy life insurance policies, register vehicles, and file taxes jointly with their fake spouses. For clients residing outside of California, Ulan and his associates provided physical addresses and mailboxes to establish residency in the state.
Interview Preparation and Coaching:
Ulan also ensured that the couples presented a convincing picture of a genuine relationship by coaching them to provide consistent answers during interviews with immigration authorities. He guided them on how to conceal the fraudulent nature of their marriages and even prepared them for trick questions posed by authorities.
The Money Trail:
While the U.S. citizens posing as spouses received relatively small sums of money, Benitez, Ulan, and their co-conspirators made substantial profits from the scheme. For example, in one case, Benitez pocketed $15,000, while the fake spouse received only $1,700. The extent of the financial gains from the enterprise is estimated to be at least $8 million.
Conclusion:
The conviction of Engilbert Ulan serves as a clear warning about the severe consequences of engaging in marriage fraud schemes. This case highlights the importance of upholding the integrity of the immigration process and protecting public safety. The conviction of Ulan, along with the guilty plea of his boss, Marcialito Benitez, sends a powerful message that fraudulent actions aimed at deceiving immigration authorities will not be tolerated. The U.S. Department of Justice is currently investigating whether the clients who benefitted from the scheme will face revocation of their permanent resident status.
Did you Know?
Did You Know?
- Immigration Marriage Fraud is not a new phenomenon. In fact, marriage fraud schemes have been occurring for decades, with individuals seeking fraudulent marriages to gain immigration benefits or evade deportation.
The United States is not the only country dealing with marriage fraud. Many other countries, including Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom, have also faced similar challenges and implemented measures to combat fraudulent marriages for immigration purposes.
Marriage fraud investigation units exist in immigration agencies around the world. These specialized units are dedicated to identifying and prosecuting individuals involved in marriage fraud schemes, ensuring the integrity of the immigration process.
The penalties for marriage fraud can be severe. In addition to potential prison sentences and fines, individuals involved in marriage fraud may face immigration consequences, such as deportation or the revocation of their immigration status.
Immigration authorities employ various tactics to detect marriage fraud, including conducting interviews, reviewing documentation, and verifying the authenticity of relationships. Such measures are essential in ensuring the legitimacy of marriages and preventing abuse of the immigration system.
The prevalence of marriage fraud can vary among different immigrant communities. Factors such as cultural norms, financial incentives, and immigration policies may contribute to higher rates of marriage fraud in certain communities.
Technology has both helped and hindered efforts to combat marriage fraud. On one hand, advancements in digital documentation and data analysis have made it easier to detect fraudulent marriages. On the other hand, online platforms and social media can be used to facilitate and promote fraudulent marriages.
Marriage fraud can have lasting consequences for legitimate couples. Genuine couples may experience increased scrutiny and suspicion during immigration processes due to the actions of fraudulent individuals. These challenges can create additional stress and hurdles for those navigating the immigration system.
Some individuals involved in marriage fraud schemes may be coerced or forced into participating. Human trafficking and exploitation can play a role in these situations, emphasizing the need for comprehensive support and protection for vulnerable populations.
Education and awareness initiatives are crucial in preventing marriage fraud. By informing communities about the risks and consequences of engaging in fraudulent marriages, individuals can make informed choices and protect themselves from potentially harmful situations.
Remember, immigration is a complex and multifaceted topic, and these ‘Did You Know?’ facts only scratch the surface of its intricacies. Exploring further into immigration laws, policies, and experiences can provide a deeper understanding of this global issue.
Learn Today: Key Terms Explained
Glossary
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS): The government agency responsible for administering immigration and naturalization services in the United States. USCIS oversees the application process for various immigration benefits, including green cards, visas, and citizenship.
Green Card: Also known as a Permanent Resident Card, a green card is an immigration document that grants an individual the right to live and work permanently in the United States. Green card holders have lawful permanent resident status.
Marriage Fraud: The act of entering into a marriage with the sole intention of evading immigration laws and obtaining immigration benefits, such as a green card. Marriage fraud is a serious illegal offense.
Immigration Document Fraud: The act of knowingly creating, altering, forging, counterfeiting, or using fraudulent immigration documents, such as passports, visas, or green cards. Immigration document fraud is a federal offense.
Arranged Marriage Business: Refers to an enterprise that facilitates fraudulent marriages between U.S. citizens and foreign nationals for the purpose of obtaining immigration benefits. These businesses often operate as scams and exploit vulnerable individuals seeking immigration status.
Sham Marriage: Also known as a fraudulent or fake marriage, a sham marriage is a marriage entered into solely for the purpose of evading immigration laws and obtaining immigration benefits, without genuine intent to establish a marital relationship.
Brokers: Individuals who are enlisted to recruit U.S. citizens willing to participate in fraudulent marriages. These brokers play a crucial role in connecting fake spouses with foreign nationals seeking permanent residency.
Permanent Residency: Also known as lawful permanent residence or a green card status, permanent residency grants an individual the right to live and work permanently in the United States. Permanent residents have certain rights and responsibilities, but are not U.S. citizens.
Residency: A term used to describe an individual’s legal status of living in a particular place. In the context of immigration, residency refers to establishing a physical presence in a specific location to meet the requirements for obtaining certain immigration benefits, such as a green card.
Immigration Authorities: Refers to government agencies responsible for enforcing immigration laws, processing immigration applications, and conducting interviews and investigations related to immigration benefits. Examples include USCIS, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
Marriage Fraud Scheme: An organized plan or enterprise that involves multiple participants conspiring to arrange fraudulent marriages and deceive immigration authorities to obtain immigration benefits, such as green cards.
Interview Preparation: The process of assisting individuals in preparing for interviews with immigration authorities. This may include providing guidance on how to answer questions, coaching on presenting a convincing picture of a genuine relationship, and preparing for potential challenges during the interview.
Trick Questions: Questions posed by immigration authorities during interviews to test the authenticity of a marriage. These questions are designed to detect fraud and may require consistent answers from both spouses to prove the legitimacy of the relationship.
Revocation of Permanent Resident Status: The process of canceling or invalidating a person’s permanent resident status, which can result in the loss of the individual’s rights and privileges associated with lawful permanent residency. Revocation can occur if fraud or misrepresentation is discovered in the immigration process.
