U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), working together with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), carried out a large investigation called Operation Twin Shield. This operation took place in the Minneapolis–St. Paul area and surrounding regions between September 19 and 28.
The goal was simple but urgent—uncover immigration fraud and protect the integrity of the U.S. immigration system. Officers focused on applicants and petitioners with pending immigration benefit requests who showed signs of possible fraud or ineligibility.
This was not a random sweep. Officers selected more than 1,000 cases that already had red flags. These included applications for marriage-based green cards, family-related petitions, work permits, and certain parole requests. USCIS described the operation as the first of its kind in both size and intensity in one geographic area.
During the operation, officers completed more than 900 site visits and in-person interviews. What they found was alarming: out of those interviews, 275 cases showed evidence of fraud, non-compliance, or risks to public safety or national security. That means almost half of the cases reviewed raised serious concerns.
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Disturbing Cases of Fraud Revealed
The operation exposed many different types of fraudulent activities. Some of these examples were especially shocking.
In one case, an applicant admitted to paying $100 for a fake death certificate from Kenya. The document was meant to prove that his marriage had ended. However, investigators later confirmed that his spouse was very much alive and living in Minneapolis, raising five children with him.
Another case revealed an individual who had previously overstayed his visa and was already denied immigration benefits for marriage fraud. Investigators later found that this person was also the son of a known or suspected terrorist, heightening concerns about security risks.
In yet another case, a woman told USCIS officers that her marriage was genuine during a formal interview. Just a few hours later, she admitted that the marriage was actually fraudulent.
The operation also uncovered troubling examples of abuse. One foreign national was found to have entered into a marriage with an elderly U.S. citizen. Instead of being a caring partner, he used the situation to exploit and abuse the elderly spouse. This case highlighted the darker side of immigration fraud, where vulnerable individuals may become victims.
These are just a few of the cases revealed during Operation Twin Shield. Officers emphasized that such fraudulent schemes are not rare, but something they work to combat every day across the country.
Enforcement Actions and Strong Words from USCIS
Following the operation, USCIS officers took action in multiple cases. At least 42 individuals received Notices to Appear in immigration court or were referred to ICE for further enforcement. Four people were taken into custody during the operation itself.
Authorities stressed that more enforcement measures may follow. Because investigations are still ongoing, additional cases could result in referrals, court notices, or denial of immigration benefits. USCIS officers said they expect the number of actions to rise once administrative reviews are completed.
The operation also showed how closely federal agencies now work together. USCIS led the effort, but ICE and the FBI provided key support. Their collaboration made it possible to uncover fraud on such a wide scale in a short time.
USCIS Director Joseph B. Edlow described Operation Twin Shield as a “tremendous success.” He emphasized that the agency is fully committed to pursuing immigration fraud wherever it is found, noting that such fraud not only undermines the lawful system but also threatens national security and public safety.
Operation Twin Shield marked the first time USCIS dedicated such large-scale fraud detection resources to a single metro area. Edlow said officers are empowered to thoroughly investigate suspected fraud and to take decisive action against those who attempt to cheat the system.