Based on USCIS new releases on 29 July 2014,
in the first case, a federal jury found Nerene Erica Harrison guilty of
marriage fraud. Harrison faces a maximum penalty of 5 years in federal prison.
Her sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 23, 2014. Harrison was indicted
on November 13, 2013, along with Robert Kenneth Scott Cruz. According to
testimony and evidence presented at trial, Harrison, a Jamaican national, came
to the United States in 2007 on a temporary work visa. After her visa expired,
Harrison offered Cruz, a United States citizen, $6,000 to marry her. They were
married on August 15, 2011, and subsequently petitioned for Harrison to receive
lawful permanent resident (LPR) status based on the marriage. Cruz pleaded
guilty on March 27, 2014. He faces a maximum penalty of 5 years in federal
prison. A sentencing hearing has been set for November 11, 2014.
In the second case, announced July 25, USCIS
efforts led to the successful conviction and sentencing of Cassandra Hamilton
to 15 months in federal prison for engaging in a conspiracy to commit marriage
fraud. Hamilton pleaded guilty on April 15, 2014. According to court documents,
Hamilton engaged in a marriage fraud conspiracy spanning several years, and in
excess of ten marriages. Hamilton arranged marriages between U.S. and Jamaican
citizens for the purpose of enabling the Jamaican citizens to obtain residency
and citizenship. Hamilton was paid for her involvement in arranging the
marriages. From this case, it showed that, marriage fraud conspiracy is
worrying because it can exploit the nation immigration laws for personal
financial gain. In U.S., HSI will continue to work closely with USCIS to
protect the integrity of U.S. country’s immigration system.
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