Filipino Man Jailed After Submitting Hundreds of Fraudulent Work Permit Applications

A Filipino national who federal authorities said orchestrated a large-scale visa fraud operation has been sentenced to 18 months in prison after hundreds of fraudulent work permit applications led to the unlawful issuance of employment documents for undocumented foreign nationals.

Venerando Aquino Martin, 56, was sentenced on May 27 by the United States District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands after being convicted of visa fraud against the United States.

Prosecutors said Martin submitted approximately 242 fraudulent applications for Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) between September 2023 and April 2025, falsely claiming that the applicants qualified to work legally in the United States.

The scheme resulted in 66 work permits being unlawfully issued, allowing undocumented foreign nationals to obtain jobs in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Federal authorities moved swiftly after uncovering the operation.

All 66 work permits have since been revoked, and the foreign nationals who obtained them are either facing deportation proceedings or are awaiting the start of removal cases, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

“Martin engaged in fraudulent conduct at every step of his scheme,” said U.S. Attorney Shawn N. Anderson.

Anderson warned that federal authorities will continue aggressively pursuing immigration fraud and individuals who attempt to exploit the country's work visa system.

Homeland Security Investigations also issued a strong warning to immigration violators.

“Visa fraud weakens our immigration system and puts our communities at risk,” said CJ Ammons, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations.

“If you violate our customs or immigration laws, you will face consequences,” Ammons said.

In addition to the prison term, Martin was ordered to serve one year of supervised release and pay a mandatory assessment fee.

The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations Saipan, while Assistant U.S. Attorney Garth R. Backe prosecuted the case.

The conviction marks the latest federal crackdown on immigration fraud schemes that authorities say undermine the integrity of the U.S. immigration system and allow unauthorized workers to gain access to jobs through fraudulent documents.