Sadly, many immigrants haven fallen victim to the scams of a Facebook poser. Ashley Yen Nguyen, also known as “Duyen,” spearheaded a Facebook group scam that helped people obtain permanent resident status (green cards) based on fake marriages. These marriages are often referred to fraudulent or sham marriages; Nguyen would make these marriages appear legitimate so that foreign citizens could obtain their green cards based on U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ erroneous belief that the marriage was legally valid. Nguyen would even go as far as to provide fake wedding albums to falsify proof of relationship.
In order to appear certified, Nguyen posed as an attorney – ultimately exploiting those desperate for legal status and preying on their vulnerabilities. On October 27, 2022, Nguyen was ordered to serve more than 10 years in federal prison and has also been issued a fine of $334,605.
Through this treachery, Nguyen (along with her assistant scammers) were able to muster anywhere from $50,000-$70,000 to marry a wife or husband in the United States and fraudulently obtain legal status. The ringleader would pay employees close to $200, most of which were U.S. citizens. These employees would falsify immigration proceedings and act as recruiters. In addition to this, Nguyen promised U.S. citizens who posed as spouses anywhere from $15,000 – $20,000. Homeland Security officials have said that this is one of the “largest marriage fraud conspiracies in United States history.”
How This Impacts Those Honestly Seeking Legal Status
It is without question that obtaining a green card by way of marriage is one of the most stereotyped and misunderstood practices in immigration law. However, it is an extremely beneficial process for those who wish to be granted permanent resident status, as it is an avenue to gain legal status where they otherwise may not be able to.
Unfortunately, it is schemes such as these which perpetuate the negative stereotypes about permanent resident status based on marriage. Homeland Security officials have also stated that countless legitimate and honest marriages have been delayed and threatened as a result of this conspiracy.
It is important for scammers to be exposed, so that those with honest and legitimate relationships may have a more seamless process of obtaining green cards and be rid of the xenophobic stereotype which makes the process all the more difficult.
