An Indian national’s pursuit of a Green Card through deception ends in federal conviction and upcoming deportation proceedings
- Aakash Makwana, a 29-year-old Indian national, pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft in a marriage fraud scheme.
- He overstayed his J-1 visa and paid $10,000 to marry a U.S. citizen in an attempt to obtain a Green Card.
- Makwana falsified documents, including a lease agreement, to mislead immigration officials.
- When the fraud attempt failed, he filed a false Form I-360, citing domestic abuse to remain in the U.S.
- Three individuals have now pleaded guilty in connection with the conspiracy; sentencing begins in May.
In what federal prosecutors call a calculated attempt to exploit U.S. immigration loopholes, a 29-year-old Indian citizen living unlawfully in West Virginia has pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft tied to a $10,000 marriage fraud scheme. The case underscores the growing complexity of immigration-related fraud and the role of document falsification in circumventing legal residency requirements.
Aakash Prakash Makwana first arrived in the United States on a J-1 nonimmigrant visa on November 23, 2019 — a visa issued primarily to individuals participating in work-and-study-based exchange programs. By his own admission, Makwana knew the visa expired after one year. Yet he remained in the country unlawfully beyond its expiration date on November 24, 2020.
By August 2021, federal investigators say Makwana had turned to deception. According to statements made in court, he conspired with others to pay $10,000 to marry a U.S. citizen, hoping the sham marriage would qualify him for lawful permanent residency — commonly referred to as a Green Card. At the time, Makwana was living in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, and working without legal authorization.
The marriage took place on September 3, 2021. But marriage alone wasn’t enough. To present the appearance of a legitimate domestic partnership, Makwana fabricated a residential lease agreement showing that he and his spouse lived together. He went further — adding her name to his utility bills and joint bank accounts. But the scheme began to unravel when it was discovered that he had forged the property manager’s name and signature on the lease document — without their knowledge or consent.
When it became clear the marriage-based application would fail, Makwana pivoted to another tactic. He filed a Form I-360 petition with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), falsely claiming he was the victim of domestic violence and emotional abuse at the hands of his spouse — the same individual he had paid to marry in the first place. Court records show Makwana admitted this was another calculated attempt to stay in the country while the petition was being reviewed.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services played a vital role in the investigation, which eventually led to Makwana’s guilty plea. His sentencing is scheduled for September 26, 2025. He faces potential prison time, monetary penalties, and removal from the United States following sentencing.
Others involved in the scheme have also admitted guilt. Kalee Ann Huff, 28, the U.S. citizen whom Makwana married, pleaded guilty on February 20, 2025, to charges of marriage fraud and perjury. She is currently residing in Fairbury, Illinois, and will be sentenced on June 12, 2025.
Huff’s brother-in-law, Joseph Sanchez, 33, also from Fairbury, pleaded guilty on January 29, 2025, to participating in the broader conspiracy. His sentencing is scheduled for May 30, 2025.
The case highlights not only the vulnerabilities in the marriage-based immigration system but also the critical role of inter-agency coordination between the Department of Justice and USCIS in exposing fraud.
Source: U.S. Attorney’s Office (Southern District of West Virginia); U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
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