A couple in the
Seattle area was arrested Tuesday for allegedly advising
immigrants seeking asylum to say they're gay. Steven and
Helen Mahoney are accused of helping at least three
immigrants file fraudulent asylum applications on such
grounds, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer
reports.
The couple, now
estranged, reportedly operated as immigration consultants
for more than a decade. In one instance cited in the federal
grand jury indictment, the Mahoneys assisted a person
identified only by his initials "G.V.," whose asylum
application claimed he/she was gay and asserted
that "G.V. was afraid of being assaulted and maimed if
G.V. returned to his/her home country." But there was no
truth to that statement, according to the Post-Intelligencer.
Both Steven and
Helen Mahoney are charged with one count of
conspiracy to commit immigration fraud. Steven is also
charged with three counts of immigration fraud.
(Advocate.com)