Story perspectives

Six Arrested in Sham Marriage Ring, DOJ Says

By Drooid · Oct 21, 2026, 11:53 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Jennifer Gonzalez Operates Sham-Marriage

U.S. Attorney Leah Foley announced the arrest of six defendants for operating a sham-marriage ring.
Alleged ringleader Jennifer Gonzalez arranged 18-20 fake marriages each year, charging immigrants $38,000-$40,000.
The scheme generated over $6 million in profit.
Gonzalez received $124,500 in SNAP benefits and sent proceeds to the Dominican Republic to buy businesses.
Five defendants were taken into federal custody and face up to 15 years in prison and $500,000 fines.

Summary

Kull Presents Immigration Survey

Dr. Steven Kull reported a nationwide voter survey showing broad agreement on immigration policy ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Kull’s research group polled Americans in multiple states on immigration reform preferences.
U.S. Attorney Leah Foley highlighted Kull’s findings at a DOJ press conference in Boston announcing a marriage-fraud bust.
Officials noted the bust’s timing coincides with heightened immigration focus in the 2026 election cycle.

History

Historical Context

The 1996 Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act, signed by President Bill Clinton and effective April 1 1997, expanded removal for a broader range of crimes and boosted border-agent resources after the 1993 World Trade Center and 1995 Oklahoma City bombings. Decades later, U.S. Attorney Leah Foley’s 2024 Boston prosecution of a Dominican sham-marriage ring reflects the law’s lasting emphasis on cracking down on immigration fraud.

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Jennifer Gonzalez Operates Sham-Marriage

U.S. Attorney Leah Foley announced the arrest of six defendants for operating a sham-marriage ring.
Alleged ringleader Jennifer Gonzalez arranged 18-20 fake marriages each year, charging immigrants $38,000-$40,000.
The scheme generated over $6 million in profit.
Gonzalez received $124,500 in SNAP benefits and sent proceeds to the Dominican Republic to buy businesses.
Five defendants were taken into federal custody and face up to 15 years in prison and $500,000 fines.

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