USCIS Screening and Vetting Efforts Lead to 18-month Sentencing of Illegal Alien in Fraud Case

SAIPAN, CNMI-U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services' robust screening and vetting uncovered an immigration fraud scheme that resulted in Venerando Aquino Martin, 56, an illegal alien from the Philippines, being sentenced to 18 months for visa fraud. The court also ordered him to serve one year of supervised release and pay a $200 mandatory assessment fee. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands announced the sentencing.

Between Sept. 23, 2023, and April 9, 2025, Martin submitted approximately 242 fraudulent applications, falsely claiming that the applicants qualified for employment authorization. As a result of this scheme, 66 work permits were issued-before the fraud was detected-and then used by illegal aliens to obtain employment in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

USCIS' investigative efforts discovered that Martin charged applicants thousands of dollars to prepare and submit fraudulent applications for immigration benefits under the "Registry" provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act. This provision allows certain individuals who entered the United States before Jan. 1, 1972, to apply for a Permanent Resident Card and receive work permits while that application is pending.

An astute USCIS officer in Guam saw a pattern in the cases Martin submitted, and USCIS' Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate immediately began investigating. Nearly all applicants in this case were ineligible; some were not even born before 1972.

USCIS revoked all 66 work permits and began processes to deport the aliens involved.

The investigation was conducted in partnership with Homeland Security Investigations Saipan and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Garth R. Backe for the District of the Northern Mariana Islands.

To report suspected immigration benefit fraud or abuse to USCIS, please use the USCIS Tip Form.

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