Cuban national created false sponsors for immigration fraud business, says Justice Dept.

Mario Henry García, a 65 year old Cuban residing in Miami pleaded guilty to charges after creating a network of false sponsors to expedite immigration procedures for people, the Justice Department reported on Monday.

García was charged with the crimes of fraud, improper use of visas, permits and other documents, and aggravated identity theft, and purportedly operated a business called Mar Financial, where applications for legal permanent residence in the U.S. were prepared.

Legitimate applicants must submit an Affidavit of Financial Support (Form I-864) from a sponsor who pledges to financially support them  during their stay in the U.S.

Prosecutors charged that García's company, for a fee, would steal personal data and supporting documents related to a legitimate sponsor without their consent.

Initially, the defendant was released after posting bail and fled with a Peruvian passport, but he was later arrested in Panama.

The sentencing hearing is scheduled for June 14, 2021. García could face a penalty of between five and 15 years in prison for the crime of fraud and another 15 years for identity theft.

Earlier this year, the U.S. government implemented a new "Humanitarian Parole" program that grants Cubans, Nicaraguans, Haitians and Venezuelans temporary permission to stay in the United States for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit. .

Nearly 14,000 Cubans have received this permit to date to legally enter the United States, according to official figures. In total, more than 70,000 people have been authorized with the parole since its implementation, on January 6, reported Univision 23.

U.S. authorities have warned that migrants who try to reach the country illegally, either by land or by sea, and are caught, will be disqualified from applying for parole.