TEXAS — Thousands of people go through the process to become United States residents. In 2023, the Department of State data shows 562,976 visas were approved.  

What You Need To Know

  • Maria del Carmen Juarez Velazquez sought alternative options for securing her residency to keep her ill son in the country, so she made an appointment with a man who claimed to work for the Department of Homeland Security

  • They paid the man in question thousands of dollars, submitting personal information and biometrics

  • Six months later, officials tell Spectrum News, an investigation has been launched by Dallas Police and the Department of Homeland Security
  • Dallas Police say a suspect won’t be named until a warrant is issued but they are investigating

Maria del Carmen Juarez Velazquez sought alternative options for securing her residency to keep her ill son in the country, but lawyers warned her that there was no assurance of being allowed to stay during the process.  

A friend informed her she could expedite her application process. She made an appointment with a man who claimed to work for the Department of Homeland Security.  

“They told me, oh you can apply for the humanitarian visa, and we won’t charge you, but tell your friends and family,” Velazquez said.

She did just that.  

“As he introduced himself to us that he works for the Department of Homeland Security, that his new job title now allows him, he approves people’s documents,” said Keri Hernandez.  

Keri and her husband Margarito Hernandez have been trying for more than a decade to get his residency, running into obstacle after obstacle. Keri said at one point they received a letter from Immigration Customs Enforcement that he had forgone his appointment. They later learned their attorney had moved offices, and that is likely the reason they did not receive the appointment notice.  

“People will go to just insane lengths sometimes to do things when they’re desperate,” said Keri.  

Margarito was excited to learn that there might be hope after all. He, along with more than 40 people, paid the man in question thousands of dollars, submitting personal information and biometrics.  

Keri showed Spectrum News a copy of the alleged approval letter. She explained they were told they would go as a group to get their driver’s license and social security.  

“Once we got the approval letter, I called them out,” Keri said. “Hey this is a fake document.”  

Within weeks, Keri and all those who submitted documents could not get a hold of the alleged immigration official.  

In February they held a protest outside of Dallas Police Department headquarters demanding they investigate.

Six months later, officials tell Spectrum News, an investigation has been launched by Dallas Police and the Department of Homeland Security.  

Dallas Police say a suspect won’t be named until a warrant is issued but they are investigating. Dallas Police is leading the investigation into the theft of thousands. The Department of Homeland Security says it’s an ongoing investigation and couldn’t provide more details.  

Hernandez and Velazquez believe there could be more victims.  

“We know they came from another state. This is information they shared with us,” Keri said. “They need to be stopped.”

Dallas police encourage anyone with information to contact them.