Woman Posed as U.S. Immigration Officer, Ran Years-Long Visa Fraud Scheme

A woman in her 20s has been indicted on fraud charges for approaching individuals claiming she could help with U.S. immigration documents and then pocketing their money. It has been revealed that she impersonated federal officials and continued her criminal activities for several years. Mayra Collins, 29, of Texas, is accused of posing as a federal agency agent despite never having worked for the U.S. government and possessing no authority related to visas or employment. She faces five counts of impersonating a federal officer, allegedly occurring between 2022 and 2025.

Prosecutors stated that Collins, from the Brownsville area, lied to victims, telling them she could expedite U.S. visa processing. Using this method, she defrauded four individuals out of thousands of dollars. Collins also allegedly demanded money for job placement opportunities while impersonating a Border Patrol agent in 2025. She faces two counts of impersonating a federal officer and three counts of wire fraud in connection with these allegations. Collins had never been employed by the U.S. government and was entirely incapable of providing visas or Border Patrol employment to her alleged victims.

She could face up to 20 years in prison for wire fraud and up to three years for impersonating a federal officer, along with a potential $250,000 fine. Collins is scheduled for her initial court appearance this Thursday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Julie Hampton.

An expert on immigration policy analyzed that the complex and fragmented immigration laws and administrative system provide opportunities for fraudsters. The system is vulnerable to fraud due to the decentralized structure of federal agencies, and Congress should simplify immigration laws and consolidate related agencies to improve the immigration system and prevent fraud, the expert said.

This case emerged amid an investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice and Homeland Security into a large-scale fraud operation in the Minnesota region. Federal agents raided 22 businesses on Tuesday morning, reportedly connected to the Somali immigrant community. These businesses were also said to include childcare facilities.