USCIS Declares 'All-Out War' on Immigration Fraud: Inside the Results of Operation Twin Shield 2025

The integrity of the United States' legal immigration system is a cornerstone of national sovereignty and public trust. When that system is exploited by fraud, it not only compromises security but also unfairly undermines the millions who follow the law. In a significant display of its commitment to deterrence and enforcement, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently announced the successful results of Operation Twin Shield, a targeted, large-scale immigration fraud investigation conducted in coordination with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). This operation, focused intensely on the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, marks a pivotal moment in the agency’s intensified efforts to stamp out systemic deception, yielding a shocking discovery rate of fraud and signaling a new, aggressive stance against bad actors.

Operation Twin Shield: Unprecedented Enforcement in the Heartland

From September 19 to 28, Operation Twin Shield descended upon the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area, representing the first time USCIS dedicated resources on such a massive, geographically focused scale. 

• First-of-its-Kind Geographic Surge: Operation Twin Shield represented the first time USCIS dedicated resources on such an extensive scale to a single, focused geographical area—the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan region—over a concentrated nine-day period (September 19-28).

• Targeted Multi-Agency Coordination: The effort was a highly strategic, targeted surge of fraud detection, conducted in close coordination with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), underscoring the severity of the alleged crimes.

• Focus on High-Risk Benefit Categories: Officers concentrated on over 1,000 pending cases that matched specified risk criteria, conducting over 900 site visits and interviews, with a specific focus on fraudulent marriage petitions, employment authorizations (including H-1B and F-1 visas), and applications linked to national security concerns. 

Also Read: USCIS Removes Biometrics Fee for Most Immigration Cases 

A Targeted Approach to High-Risk Cases

The methodology behind Operation Twin Shield was rooted in precise intelligence and risk assessment. Officers did not randomly select applications but instead focused on those that already exhibited specified risk criteria. This highly targeted approach allowed the agencies to conduct over 900 site visits and in-person interviews within a relatively short period. 

The success of the operation hinged on the empowerment of immigration officers to thoroughly vet aliens and pursue fraud aggressively wherever it was encountered. The emphasis was on meticulous, in-person verification and detailed cross-referencing of information provided in immigration filings. This rigorous verification process ensured that the findings were concrete and sustainable for subsequent enforcement actions, serving as a powerful deterrent to others who might consider manipulating the system for personal gain. The preliminary analysis of applicants and petitioners provided the essential "intro bridge" to finding the most pervasive and dangerous forms of immigration fraud.

Cracking Down on Systemic Deception

The three key results demonstrating the crackdown on systemic deception are:

• Massive Fraud Discovery Rate: USCIS officers identified evidence of fraud, non-compliance, or national security concerns in 275 cases, which represented a startling 44 percent of the total cases interviewed during the targeted surge.

• Initial Enforcement and Referrals: Immediate accountability was initiated through the issuance of Notices to Appear (NTAs) or referrals to ICE in 42 cases, resulting in four aliens being apprehended on the spot for serious violations and security concerns.

• Awaiting Mass Adverse Actions: Beyond the initial arrests and court referrals, USCIS anticipates that the total number of enforcement actions will significantly increase as the administrative investigations into the 275 flagged cases are finalized, leading to widespread denials of benefits and further referrals for prosecution.

Also Read: USCIS to Allocate $2.6 Million for Immigrant Integration

The Startling Rate of Fraud Discovery

The fact that fraud, non-compliance, or serious concerns were discovered in 44 percent of the cases interviewed is perhaps the most shocking metric. While the entire pool of 1,000+ cases was pre-selected based on risk indicators, the nearly fifty percent validation rate during in-person interviews reveals the depth of dishonesty present in the high-risk applicant pool. 

This high discovery rate provides the essential "intro bridge" to understanding why such targeted operations are necessary. It confirms that the intelligence USCIS uses to flag cases is highly accurate, justifying the redirection of resources toward these investigations. More importantly, it demonstrates a clear and present danger to the integrity of the system, confirming that aggressive intervention, like Operation Twin Shield, is a necessary measure to protect the public good. The results effectively validate the agency’s new strategic direction of proactively hunting fraud rather than passively reacting to it.

The Bizarre and Egregious Schemes Uncovered

The egregious schemes and bizarre lies uncovered by Operation Twin Shield include:

• Fabrication of Death Certificates for Marriage Fraud: One alien admitted to purchasing a fake death certificate from Kenya for $100 to fraudulently claim a marriage had been terminated. The spouse was later confirmed to be alive and residing in Minneapolis.

• Elder Abuse and Exploitation in Sham Marriages: Investigators found cases where aliens entered into fraudulent marriages and took advantage of elderly U.S. citizen spouses, with one instance involving documentation of elder abuse and exploitation.

• Security Threats and Repeated Prior Fraud: A case was uncovered involving an alien who had overstayed their visa, was the son of a known or suspected terrorist on the no-fly list, and had a prior history of engaging in marriage fraud that resulted in the denial of other immigration benefits.

Also Read: USCIS Reverts to Binary Gender Options on Immigration Forms

Deceptive Tactics and Fabricated Evidence

These specific examples provide the "intro bridge" to a deeper understanding of the tactics deployed by fraudsters. The use of fabricated documents, such as the fake death certificate, points to a clear, premeditated intent to deceive. Such fraudulent documents complicate the review process, consuming valuable time and resources that could otherwise be dedicated to processing legitimate cases. 

The immediate admission of marriage fraud by a petitioner, following a sworn statement, also speaks volumes about the enforcement presence established by Operation Twin Shield. The surge of enforcement activity, site visits, and the coordination with federal partners likely created an environment where fraudsters felt compelled to confess when confronted with overwhelming evidence or the seriousness of their offense. These types of admissions are vital, as they swiftly conclude cases and provide intelligence for further investigations into larger fraud networks.

National Security and Elder Exploitation Risks

The major risks identified by the operation related to national security and exploitation were:

• Direct National Security Risk from Vetting Failures: One case involved an alien who was the son of a known or suspected terrorist on the no-fly list, had previously committed marriage fraud, and was an overstaying visa waiver alien, demonstrating a severe failure in vetting processes.

• Vulnerable U.S. Citizens Subjected to Elder Exploitation: Investigators uncovered a case of marriage fraud where the alien exploited an elderly U.S. citizen spouse for benefits, which included subjecting the spouse to elder abuse and financial exploitation.

• Official Mandate to Combat Public Safety Threats: The entire operation was explicitly aligned with Executive Order 14161, which directs federal agencies to protect the United States from foreign terrorists and public safety threats, making the crackdown on all fraud a matter of national security.

Also Read: USCIS Announces Grace Period for New Immigration Forms

USCIS Declares 'All-Out War' on Fraud

The official statement from USCIS Director Joseph B. Edlow following the operation’s success was unambiguous and highly charged. He declared that the agency is engaged in an "all-out war on immigration fraud," vowing to "relentlessly pursue everyone involved in undermining the integrity of our immigration system and laws." This strong rhetoric signals a permanent shift toward proactive fraud detection and aggressive prosecution, a marked departure from previous approaches. The Director emphasized that the assistance from ICE and the FBI was instrumental and promised that "hundreds of bad actors will be held accountable." 

This shift in strategy is not merely about punishing those who break the law; it is fundamentally about restoring faith and efficiency in the legal immigration system. Fraudulent applications clog the system, diverting resources and lengthening processing times for honest applicants who are following all rules and regulations. By removing the fraudulent caseload, USCIS aims to clear the path for legitimate immigrants and ensure that the benefits of U.S. residency and citizenship are only granted to those who truly qualify and are deserving. The commitment is clear: to ensure the lawful immigration system remains robust, fair, and secure.

Ensuring the Integrity of Legal Immigration

The Director’s strong words provide the "intro bridge" to understanding the core values at stake. USCIS emphasized that immigration fraud "harms those who follow the law" and "poses risks to national security and public safety." Every successful fraudulent claim diminishes the fairness of the system for millions of others.

When a person gains status through deceit, it not only rewards illegal behavior but also consumes the limited quota spots available for genuine immigrants who have waited years or decades in line. By leaving no stone unturned, as the Director pledged, USCIS is reaffirming its role as a gatekeeper whose primary duty is to protect the integrity of the law, ensuring that legal immigration remains the only viable path to residency and citizenship. Operation Twin Shield serves as a definitive warning that the agency is committed to upholding this principle across all jurisdictions.

Conclusion

Operation Twin Shield stands as a landmark success in the U.S. government’s escalating fight against immigration fraud. By focusing intense, coordinated federal resources on a single geographical area, USCIS, ICE, and the FBI were able to expose a troubling rate of deceit, resulting in 275 confirmed cases of fraud or non-compliance. The operation uncovered egregious schemes—from the use of fake death certificates to serious instances of elder exploitation and national security threats.

The results validate USCIS Director Edlow’s declaration of an "all-out war," signaling a robust and permanent commitment to proactive fraud detection. This initiative ensures that the integrity of the lawful immigration system is upheld, protecting national security and fairness for all legitimate applicants who choose to follow the law. The Minneapolis surge is likely the first of many such operations nationwide. Visit TerraTern to know more!