CAMDEN, N.J. — A Cherry Hill man and his Newark-based wife have been charged with making false statements to federal immigration authorities, and the husband faces an additional charge of marriage fraud, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced Tuesday.
Elvis Harizaj, 25, a citizen of Albania, and Natasha Flores, 27, an American citizen, were both charged with submitting false information on immigration forms to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
According to court documents and statements made in court, Harizaj allegedly entered a sham marriage with Flores in order to obtain lawful permanent residence in the United States. As part of the application process, both are accused of misrepresenting their personal histories.
Harizaj claimed on USCIS forms that he lived with Flores, while Flores falsely stated she had never been previously married. Federal investigators say Flores was earlier married to a Brazilian national who later gained U.S. citizenship through that marriage.
“Harizaj is a citizen of Albania and entered into a sham marriage with Flores for the purpose of obtaining permanent residence in the United States,” prosecutors said in court filings.
Charges carry prison time and significant fines
The charges of making false statements and marriage fraud each carry a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release, according to federal prosecutors.
The case was investigated by special agents of Homeland Security Investigations under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph McFarlane is prosecuting the case for the District of New Jersey.