BOSTON — Federal prosecutors in Massachusetts say six people have been arrested in connection with an alleged sham marriage scheme designed to help people obtain immigration benefits illegally.
U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Leah Foley announced Wednesday that the alleged operation spanned more than a decade and generated an estimated $6 million in profits.
Foley identified Jennifer Gonzalez, 43, of Fall River as the alleged ringleader. They say Gonzalez charged between $38,000 and $40,000 per marriage and arranged about 20 sham marriages each year for more than 10 years.
The marriages were arranged specifically to obtain unlawful immigration benefits, according to Foley.
Foley contrasted the alleged scheme with the thousands of people who legally navigate the immigration system.
“To see a for-profit business whose sole purpose [is to] cheat and skip the line by simply paying for it must be so offensive and disheartening to those who follow our country’s laws,” Foley said.
Federal prosecutors also allege Gonzalez was captured on video and audio recordings explaining that she allegedly used proceeds from the operation to invest in businesses and property in the Dominican Republic.
“I believe that you can, okay, because this state is a sanctuary, like Trump doesn’t like this state because the government from here, the state defends us very much,” Gonzalez allegedly said in one recording.
In another, she’s accused of saying, “Massachusetts is the best place for you to be. That is a fact.”
“You get health insurance. Um, you get a lot of help as an immigrant here,” Gonzalez said in another recording revealed by Foley.
It’s further alleged that Gonzalez spent over $120,000 that she received in SNAP benefits while she was running the sham marriage ring and buying property in the Dominican Republic.
Gonzalez, as well as 29-year-old Erica Daniels of Fall River, 39-year-old Chreise Alejandro of Fall River, 31-year-old Amara Pugh of Fall River, 31-year-old Jessica Tavares of Attleboro, and 26-year-old Jaylin Hill of Fall River, are all charged with:
- Conspiracy to harbor illegal aliens
- Harboring illegal aliens
- Conspiracy to commit marriage fraud
- Marriage fraud
Gonzalez paid Daniels, Alejandro, Tavares, and Hill to enter into sham marriages with “illegal alien customers,” according to Foley’s office. The defendants also took photographs of the “weddings” and social outings with their sham spouses to allegedly use in fraudulently applying for immigration status.
Pugh is accused of working as the “secretary” of the operation.
Authorities arrested all six suspects Wednesday morning. They are expected in court this afternoon.
Federal prosecutors are continuing to investigate hundreds of reported sham marriages allegedly tied to immigration fraud.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.
Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
©2026 Cox Media Group
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/7QOJU3BNCJERBNKJC5LWTBYFLU.png)
