In a shocking revelation, it has come to light that four Philippine nationals operating in Los Angeles ran a fraudulent marriage agency specifically targeting illegal migrants. These individuals orchestrated hundreds of sham marriages between illegal migrants and U.S. citizens, in order to manipulate the immigration system for their own gain.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Massachusetts, Marcialito Biol Benitez, the mastermind behind this operation, operated the agency from October 2016 to March 2022. His scam marriages and manipulation of immigration documents came at a hefty price for his clients, ranging from $20,000 to $35,000 in cash.
Benitez and his co-conspirators went to great lengths to make the fraudulent marriages appear legitimate. They organized fake wedding ceremonies at various locations, including parks and chapels, using online officiants. They even took staged photos of the couples in front of wedding decorations to later submit them as evidence for immigration petitions.
Not only did Benitez’s agency facilitate these sham marriages, but they also assisted the migrants in passing the required interviews with immigration authorities. They coached the fake spouses on how to answer questions, further ensuring the success of their immigration fraud.
Perhaps most alarming is the fact that this fraudulent business “circumvented” U.S. immigration laws by claiming that the migrants had been abused by their American spouses. This tactic was employed when the fake spouses became unresponsive or uncooperative, allowing the agency to manipulate the system even further.
Fortunately, their illicit activities did not go unnoticed, and in April 2022, Benitez and his co-conspirators were charged with conspiracy to commit marriage fraud and immigration document fraud. Benitez himself pleaded guilty in September 2023 and was recently sentenced to 22 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.
His accomplices, Juanita Pacson, Engilbert Ulan, and Nino Valmeo, also faced legal consequences for their involvement in this fraudulent operation. They were sentenced to varying lengths of supervised release, with Ulan even receiving a prison sentence of 14 months.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the lengths some individuals will go to exploit our immigration system for personal gain. It highlights the urgent need for stronger border security and stricter immigration enforcement measures. The Biden administration must take immediate action to address these vulnerabilities and ensure that those who seek to undermine our laws are held accountable.
It is crucial that we remain vigilant in the face of such fraudulent activities and prioritize the safety and security of our nation. The American people deserve a government that upholds the rule of law and protects its citizens from those who seek to exploit our system for their own benefit.
