On 9 May 2008, various media outlets, including CNN.com, reported that 83 people were arrested and accused of arranging fraudulent marriages for US Citizenship during a federal sting of four companies. The companies were incorporated as immigration assistance services, and were all located in the State of Florida. The arrested included immigrants, Americans, and company officials. At least one company maintained a wedding showroom with cakes, table settings, and bridal gowns, which it would use to pose fake wedding photographs. Additionally, the companies would coach immigrants on answers to USCIS questions, but the fact that many immigrants did not speak the same language as their US Citizen spouses may have been what led USCIS to tip off federal agents. The intending immigrants paid as much as $10,000 to the companies, while companies offered US Citizens up to $2,500 for the marriage.

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