Colombian migrants allegedly posed as immigration judges, agents and lawyers
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Four Colombian citizens were arrested, including three at the airport with one-way tickets out of the country, after prosecutors said they posed as immigration judges and federal agents to target immigrants.
Three of the arrested Colombian nationals were identified as siblings: Daniela Alejandra Sanchez Ramirez (25), Jhoan Sebastian Sanchez Ramirez (29) and Alexandra Patricia Sanchez Ramirez (38). All three were arrested at Newark Airport in New Jersey with one-way tickets to Colombia, federal prosecutors said.
The fourth person was identified as 24-year-old Marlyn Yulitza Salazar Pineda. Pineda was arrested at a restaurant in New Jersey.
The fifth defendant in the partially open indictment is still not in custody in the United States.
4 DEFENDANTS, 2 OF WHICH WERE VENEZUELAS, USED 115 STOLEN IDENTIFICATIONS
The group allegedly impersonates judges, law enforcement and lawyers to arrange fake immigration proceedings via video conferencing. (United States Attorney, Eastern District of New York)
Joseph Nocella Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York. “The defendants brazenly stole their victims’ money and deceived them by submitting false documents and arranging false court proceedings,” he said in a statement. he said.
The group allegedly impersonates judges, law enforcement and lawyers to arrange fake immigration proceedings via video conferencing.
The court documents include two representative photos of the two virtual “hearings” with their faces blacked out.
In court documents, prosecutors showed two photos of virtual “hearings” in which faces were blacked out. (United States Attorney, Eastern District of New York)
According to prosecutors, the victims were led to believe that their immigration cases had been resolved, which caused the victims to miss their actual hearings in immigration court.
At least one victim, who mistakenly believed his immigration issues had been resolved, was ordered deported because of the plan, prosecutors said, noting that the decision was later reversed.
The group is also accused of laundering tens of thousands of dollars of victims’ money, lining their own pockets and those of their collaborators in Colombia.
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Prosecutors alleged that the group operated a fictitious law firm and solicited potential “clients” primarily through Facebook, adding that they charged fees ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars “for non-existent legal advice and services.”
A view of Newark Airport in New Jersey on May 6, 2025. Three Colombian nationals were arrested at the airport with one-way tickets to Colombia, prosecutors said. (Kyle Mazza/Anatolia via Getty Images)
Investigators identified more than $100,000 in fraudulent transactions allegedly forwarded by victims to defendants and others affiliated with the fake law firm.
All five individuals were charged with wire fraud conspiracy, wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy and two counts of false impersonation of an officer or employee of the United States.
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The U.S. Attorney’s Office said Daniela, Jhoan Ramirez and Marlyn Pineda are immigration parolees, while Alexandra Ramirez is in the United States on a tourist visa.
Fox News’ Jennifer Johnsonson contributed to this report.
