A New Jersey couple is facing serious federal charges after immigration authorities uncovered what they say was a fake marriage arranged to obtain a green card.
Elvis Harizaj, 25, an Albanian national living in Cherry Hill, and Natasha Flores, 27, a U.S. citizen from Newark, were arrested following an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), a division of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The couple has been charged with immigration fraud and making false statements to U.S. authorities in an attempt to secure lawful permanent residency for Harizaj.
According to ICE, the arrests stem from a wider probe into immigration-related marriage fraud, a criminal offense that carries penalties of up to five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release per count.
Falsified Claims on Immigration Forms
Federal court documents reveal that the couple allegedly made multiple false claims on immigration paperwork filed with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Investigators allege that Harizaj claimed he was living with Flores at her residence, a claim that later turned out to be untrue.
In addition, Flores falsely attested on government documents that she had never been married before. However, further investigation revealed that Flores was previously married to a Brazilian national—another individual who also managed to obtain U.S. citizenship through marriage to her. That revelation raised serious questions about a potential pattern of fraudulent activity.
Authorities allege that the pair entered into this latest marriage solely to bypass U.S. immigration laws and help Harizaj remain in the country legally. Surveillance, interviews, and document analysis all contributed to establishing the fraudulent nature of their relationship, officials said.
Homeland Security on High Alert
This case was led by HSI Newark as part of a larger campaign to uncover marriage fraud across the region. ICE emphasized the importance of protecting the integrity of the U.S. immigration system and ensuring that immigration benefits are not obtained through deception.
“Marriage fraud is a federal crime that threatens the fairness and security of our immigration system,” an ICE spokesperson said. “Our agents are working tirelessly to investigate and dismantle these types of schemes.”
According to ICE’s official website, marriage fraud not only undermines national security but also wastes valuable government resources that could be directed toward genuine applicants seeking lawful immigration pathways.
Pattern of Deception?
While Harizaj is currently facing charges related to this single instance, authorities are reportedly digging deeper into Flores’s past relationships. The fact that she was previously involved in a similar situation with a Brazilian national who acquired citizenship through marriage to her is now a key point of interest.
Flores’s previous marriage was not disclosed on her new application, which prosecutors say is a direct violation of federal law. Under U.S. immigration policy, withholding such information is a serious offense that suggests an intent to deceive federal immigration authorities.
What Happens Next
The criminal complaint was unsealed in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey in Camden on May 28, 2025. Both defendants are expected to make their first court appearances in the coming days.
Legal experts note that these types of immigration fraud cases often rely heavily on documentation, witness interviews, and inconsistencies between statements and real-life behavior.
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has repeatedly prosecuted similar cases, stressing that fraudulent marriages for immigration purposes are not victimless crimes. They distort the intent of immigration laws and can enable a range of secondary criminal activities.
More information about the legal implications of immigration fraud can be found on the USCIS official website.
Immigration Fraud Under Scrutiny
Marriage fraud is not a new phenomenon. Federal authorities have stepped up efforts in recent years to crack down on individuals who use marriage as a loophole to gain U.S. residency or citizenship.
Under 8 U.S. Code § 1325(c), entering into a marriage for the purpose of evading immigration laws is a crime punishable by both imprisonment and fines. In many cases, if fraud is proven, both parties face long-term legal and financial consequences, even if only one is a U.S. citizen.
ICE agents involved in the investigation have called the case a textbook example of how some individuals attempt to exploit the immigration system. They reiterated that such cases will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.