Man Admits To Fake Marriage In Immigration Scam
A central Idaho man who entered into a fake marriage more than a decade ago to remain in the country has pleaded guilty to immigration fraud.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office says 38-year-old Americo De La Cruz, of Hailey, will be sentenced in late November. He pleaded guilty Wednesday to unlawful procurement of citizenship as part of an agreement with federal prosecutors.
De La Cruz was granted permanent residency in March 2004 as a result of his marriage four years earlier to a U.S. citizen.
Authorities say De La Cruz lied about the validity of his marriage when applying for naturalization with the federal government and as a result, he was granted status as a naturalized U.S. citizen in Boise more than two years ago.
