Title: Two Business Owners Sentenced for Visa Fraud in Northern Mariana Islands
Saipan Court Announces Sentences for Alejandro T. Nario and Rosalee Bangot Abejo
The Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) federal court recently handed down sentences for two business owners, Alejandro T. Nario and Rosalee Bangot Abejo, following their involvement in a visa fraud scheme.
Alejandro T. Nario’s Sentence
- Charges: Fraud and Misuse of Visas (Visa Fraud), in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1546
- Sentence: 21 months in prison
- Supervised Release: Three years
- Fines: $7,000
- Special Assessment Fee: $100
As the owner of A&A Enterprises since January 2019, Nario, a 65-year-old Filipino permanent resident, orchestrated an illegal plan to acquire CW-1 nonimmigrant visas for over 99 foreign citizens. The company submitted fraudulent employment contracts and visa petitions to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), promising employment and wages, but intending no such hiring. Instead, these foreign workers ended up in non-documented jobs like construction, groundskeeping, and housekeeping—and paid A&A Enterprises a fee of $194 every two weeks to maintain their immigration status.
Rosalee Bangot Abejo’s Sentence
- Charges: Conspiracy to Defraud the United States, violating 18 U.S.C. § 371
- Sentence: Six months of home confinement
- Probation: 36 months
- Supervised Release: Seven years
- Community Service: 50 hours
- Special Assessment Fee: $100
A Filipino resident of the CNMI, Abejo, aged 47, assisted A&A Enterprises by providing false documents and templates used for fraudulent visa petitions. She also instructed company staff to electronically modify documents, which she then used to submit CW-1 and CW-2 petitions for her husband and two friends.
Background of the Case
The CW-1 visa program requires businesses seeking foreign labor to prove that there is a demand for the jobs and that U.S. citizens cannot fill them. The petitioning business is also responsible for paying administrative fees and travel expenses. However, in this case, foreign workers were forced to cover these costs and find their own employment while A&A Enterprises profited.
U.S. Attorney’s and Homeland Security Investigations’ Statements
U.S. Attorney Shawn N. Anderson expressed his concerns, stating, “Businesses in the CNMI continue to exploit the CW-1 program. The public and workers deserve an authentic and ethical visa system. We will bring all responsible parties to justice to maintain fairness for job-seekers in the CNMI.”
Special Agent in Charge John F. Tobon of Homeland Security Investigations emphasized, “These business owners deceived numerous individuals who believed they were coming to the CNMI for legitimate employment. Homeland Security Investigations remains committed to stopping such fraudulent activities and protecting the immigration system.”
Investigation and Prosecution
The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations, and Assistant United States Attorney Albert S. Flores Jr. prosecuted the case for the District of the Northern Mariana Islands.