US charges 11 in marriage fraud scheme that helped Chinese nationals obtain green cards

The U.S. Department of Justice has charged 11 people in connection with a marriage fraud network that helped Chinese citizens obtain permanent residency in the United States. Prosecutors said the investigation uncovered a large-scale sham marriage operation running from 2016 to 2026 involving both Chinese and American participants. More than 1,000 people are alleged to have taken part in the scheme, with each paying up to $100,000, according to the Justice Department. The suspects were arrested on August 12 and appeared before a federal court in the Southern District of New York. The defendants face charges of immigration fraud and aiding foreign nationals to remain illegally in the United States. If convicted on both counts, each could be sentenced to up to 15 years in prison. A green card is the U.S. permanent residency document that allows non-citizens to live and work legally in the country.