Federal prosecutors have charged 11 people in what the Department of Justice says was a sprawling marriage fraud operation that helped foreign nationals obtain green cards through sham marriages to U.S. citizens.
According to the DOJ, the alleged scheme operated for more than a decade and arranged more than 1,000 fraudulent marriages. Prosecutors say the network primarily paired U.S. citizens with foreign nationals from China who wanted to obtain lawful permanent residency.
The indictment alleges that the operation was carefully organized and involved more than simply arranging weddings. Participants were allegedly coached on how to make the marriages appear legitimate to immigration officials, including how to answer questions during U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services interviews.
Attorney General Todd Blanche described the operation as a large and profitable business rather than a small or temporary fraud scheme.
“This scheme was not a quick fly-by-night operation, but rather a years-long, multimillion-dollar cottage industry to criminally assist people who would not, or legally could not, otherwise become citizens of the United States,” Blanche said.
Prosecutors allege that couples would meet through the network, obtain marriage licenses and participate in ceremonies that included photographs intended to make the relationships appear genuine. They were also allegedly encouraged to open joint bank accounts, file joint tax returns and create other records that could be shown to immigration authorities.
The couples would then prepare and submit green card applications. According to prosecutors, they were also instructed on what to expect during USCIS interviews.
The DOJ said some participants signed prenuptial agreements that waived claims to each other’s estates, despite presenting themselves to immigration authorities as legitimate married couples.
Jamie McDonald, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, said authorities believe the organization collected tens of millions of dollars during its operation.
🚨@AGToddBlanche announces the unsealing of an indictment charging 11 defendants with conspiring (over the course of more than a decade) to orchestrate more than 1,000 sham marriages to fraudulently obtain immigration status for foreign nationals, primarily citizens of China. ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/LxidrYiNmu
— U.S. Department of Justice (@TheJusticeDept) August 12, 2026
“We believe this network took in tens of millions of dollars over its decade-long operation, making it one of the largest marriage fraud prosecutions in U.S. history,” McDonald said.
U.S. citizens who agreed to participate in the alleged sham marriages could receive as much as $30,000, according to federal authorities.
Prosecutors say the relationships were often ended after the foreign national received permanent residency.
“Once a foreign national obtained a green card, they arranged for a divorce,” McDonald said.
Authorities have not yet determined what will happen to green cards that may have been obtained through the alleged scheme. McDonald said officials are considering whether to pursue action against individuals who received immigration benefits through the network.
Although the operation was centered largely in the New York City area, prosecutors say its reach extended far beyond the city. The alleged network arranged marriages in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida, as well as in China and Vanuatu.
The Justice Department said the organization relied on a network of facilitators, recruiters and assistants. Facilitators allegedly found foreign-national clients, while recruiters located U.S. citizens willing to participate. Other individuals helped prepare immigration documents and coordinate green card applications.
The operation also allegedly made use of marriage officiants, attorneys, tax preparers, insurance providers and other professionals to help create the appearance of legitimate marriages.
Those charged include Amy Cheng, also known as “Amy Zhou”; Xiao Mei Chan, also known as “Carmen”; Christine Lu, also known as “Lily”; Jing Yan Ye, also known as “Serene”; Xiao Yan Chen, also known as “Anna”; Gang Zheng, also known as “Michael” and “Mike”; Anthony Cheng; Michelle Duenas; Angela Duenas; Sigrid Cetino; and Erika Johnson.
