Circus agent sentenced for alien smuggling and visa fraud

A former acrobatic performer who resides in Orlando, Fla was sentenced to 15 months in prison on charges of inducing aliens to enter the US illegally and making false statements in Visa applications.

He personally helped as many as 870 aliens or remain in the US through fraudulent means. Ivanov prepared visa applications for aliens that falsely stated that they were circus performers coming to work in Florida circuses. In fact, none of the aliens had been hired by any of the circuses listed in the visa applications. Rather, the visa applicants were simply a means for the aliens to enter or remain in the US. Ivan charged each alien from $500 to $2,500 to prepare the applications.

As part of his plea agreement, Ivanov cooperated with the Department of Homeland Security Citizenship and Immigration Services’ (CIS) fraud unit to identify all of the fraudulent applications submitted through his scheme. Ivanov also agreed to forfeit to the United States approximately $800,00 he earned in smuggling fees.

source: Department of Justice, Circus Agent Sentenced