Ana Maria Hernandez, a 53-year-old woman from El Paso, Texas, was arrested on January 23, 2025, by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents for wire fraud and impersonating a federal employee.
Hernandez allegedly posed as a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) worker, misleading more than 20 victims into paying substantial fees for services related to their immigration applications. She collected vital documentation from her victims under the false pretense of assisting with their immigration status adjustments. Investigators found that Hernandez accumulated over $400,000 in unexplained wealth during the 18-month period that she was engaged in fraudulent activities.
“Impersonating a federal official is a serious crime,” said HSI El Paso Special Agent in Charge Francisco B. Burrola. “Perpetrating schemes to deceive innocent people out of large sums of money undermines the immigration system and tarnishes the reputation of dedicated civil servants.”
Hernandez has been charged with 10 counts of wire fraud and one count of impersonating a U.S. government employee. Each wire fraud charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, while the impersonation charge carries a potential sentence of up to three years. A federal district court judge will determine her sentence after considering applicable sentencing guidelines and other factors.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patricia Aguayo. As is standard, Hernandez is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
HSI, the primary investigative branch of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, plays a crucial role in addressing transnational crime, including investigating criminal networks that exploit global trade, travel, and financial systems. With a workforce of more than 8,700, HSI operates in cities across the U.S. and maintains an extensive international presence in 56 countries.
