Federal authorities in Massachusetts have busted a marriage fraud ring that raked in millions of dollars by arranging sham marriages with illegal aliens.
According to the federal Justice Department (DOJ), Jennifer Gonzalez, described as a “cultural enricher,” used the proceeds from her scheme to purchase real estate and businesses in the Dominican Republic.
Six individuals were charged with four crimes—including marriage fraud and harboring illegal aliens—announced by U.S. Attorney Leah Foley for Massachusetts. Prosecutors allege Gonzalez operated the scheme for 10 years.
The DOJ states the operation involved six people: Authorities arrested all but Hill, who is currently in state prison on a gun crime charge.
“Gonzalez ran a business where illegal aliens paid her to arrange sham marriages so they could fraudulently obtain immigration status,” prosecutors allege. Gonzalez then paid Daniels, Alejandro, Tavares and Hill (all U.S. citizens) to engage in marriages with illegal aliens for USCIS applications. Pugh, also a U.S. citizen, worked as the business’s “secretary.”
Gonzalez reportedly hitched 18-20 couples annually for $38,000 to $40,000 each. Prosecutors allege she used the ill-gotten gains to buy property and businesses in the Dominican Republic.
The DOJ states Gonzalez instructed illegal alien customers on creating a facade of legitimacy—including joint bank accounts, life insurance policies, and selfies as married couples. She allegedly told customers it would take three to four months to prepare fraudulent immigration documents and required them to sign contracts for her services.
Gonzalez was captured on video and audio recordings directing the printing and signing of a disguised “loan” contract while accepting a $3,000 cash down payment. Prosecutors claim she instructed customers that contracts intentionally omitted spouses to avoid being “incriminating,” and that she designed documents to conceal fraud.
The criminal complaint includes verbatim conversations between cooperating witness CW-1 and defendant Alejandro. Gonzalez reportedly told CW-1 that lawyers had previously helped her, saying “they know what we’re doing” and “the lawyer knows the deal.” Prosecutors note this could lead to additional charges against the lawyer.
She also told CW-1 that his “sham wife” needed accounts for a legitimate marriage. The complaint states Gonzalez charged $38,000 to $40,000 per couple and mentioned monthly payments, requiring customers to stay married for at least three years. When asked what would happen if the “wife” fell in love with him, Gonzalez replied: “We’re not here for love.”
The complaint reveals Alejandro married two illegal Brazilians in 2018 and 2023. He and others applied for SNAP benefits during their marriages while claiming they were never married. Video recordings show Gonzalez telling CW-1 that Massachusetts is a sanctuary state, saying: “Trump doesn’t like this state because the state defends us very much.” She added: “Massachusetts is the best place for you to be—that’s a fact.”
Gonzalez was not just the mastermind. On October 16, 2019, she married a Brazilian named “J.P.” who had been ordered deported by a judge. He filed a petition to stay in the U.S. because of the marriage. For seven years, Gonzalez defrauded the government by claiming J.P. was not her husband while receiving over $120,000 in SNAP benefits—using that money to buy property in the Dominican Republic.
Under federal law, harboring illegal aliens carries a 10-year prison sentence and a $250,000 fine. Marriage fraud under improper entry by an alien can result in up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.