West Virginia— Aakash Prakash Makwana, a 29-year-old Indian national unlawfully residing in West Virginia, pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft as part of a marriage fraud scheme aimed at securing U.S. permanent residency. Makwana, who overstayed his J-1 visa, admitted to paying $10,000 to marry a U.S. citizen and falsifying documents to support his immigration application. His sentencing is scheduled for September 26, 2025, and he faces potential jail time, fines, and deportation.
Key Facts:
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Visa Overstay: Makwana entered the U.S. on a J-1 visa in November 2019, which expired in November 2020.
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Fraudulent Marriage: In September 2021, he paid $10,000 to marry a U.S. citizen and submitted falsified documents to USCIS.
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Legal Consequences: Makwana pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft and faces sentencing on September 26, 2025.
Makwana's scheme involved creating a fake residential lease and adding his spouse's name to utility bills to fabricate a shared life. When the marriage fraud did not yield the desired immigration benefits, he falsely claimed domestic abuse in a petition to USCIS. His co-conspirators, including his U.S. citizen spouse and her brother-in-law, have also pleaded guilty to related charges.
This case highlights the U.S. government's ongoing efforts to combat immigration fraud. USCIS and Homeland Security Investigations played key roles in uncovering the scheme.
The incident serves as a cautionary tale for individuals considering fraudulent means to obtain immigration benefits. It underscores the importance of adhering to legal pathways for residency and the severe consequences of attempting to circumvent immigration laws.
Do You Know? Marriage fraud is a federal crime in the U.S., punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Such offenses can also result in deportation and a permanent ban on re-entering the country.
Key Terms:
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J-1 Visa: A non-immigrant visa for individuals approved to participate in work-and-study-based exchange visitor programs in the U.S.
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USCIS: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the federal agency overseeing lawful immigration to the United States.
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Aggravated Identity Theft: A federal offense involving the unauthorized use of another person's identity in connection with certain crimes.