Federal authorities announced Friday that 18 illegal aliens are facing criminal charges tied to a wide-ranging identity theft scheme involving false Social Security numbers and fraudulent employment practices.

According to a press release from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the defendants — including 12 nationals from Honduras, as well as individuals from Mexico and Guatemala — have each been charged with aggravated identity theft, misuse of Social Security numbers, and making false statements regarding U.S. citizenship to obtain unlawful employment.

Each defendant was indicted separately over the past two years.

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If convicted on all counts, they face minimum sentences of two years, with maximum penalties reaching up to 12 years in federal prison.

The arrests are the result of a multi-agency investigation led by ICE’s Tampa field office.

The operation included collaboration with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the U.S. Department of Labor, and multiple Florida-based law enforcement agencies.

ICE officials emphasized that the operation is part of the Trump administration’s broader crackdown on identity fraud committed by individuals residing in the country illegally.

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Federal agents noted that the illegal use of U.S. citizens’ Social Security numbers poses significant risks to financial institutions, employers, and victims who may suffer lasting damage to their credit and legal records.

“These types of crimes not only affect the integrity of our immigration system but also impose real harm on American citizens whose identities are stolen and misused,” an ICE spokesperson said Friday.

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“Every benefit program we looked at was being accessed by these people. 1.3 million of them are on Medicaid right now, today. And by the way, it’s just ramping.… pic.twitter.com/OyvSPrArRy

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The announcement follows another high-profile federal case involving identity fraud with international ties.

Christina Marie Chapman, a 48-year-old woman from Litchfield Park, Arizona, pleaded guilty this week in federal court to participating in a conspiracy that defrauded U.S. companies and funneled millions of dollars to the government of North Korea.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, Chapman conspired to commit wire fraud, identity theft, and money laundering by helping foreign IT workers pose as U.S. citizens.

The workers were employed remotely by over 300 U.S.-based companies.

Federal prosecutors stated that the scheme generated nearly $17 million, which was ultimately used to benefit the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).

In a related development, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced a new agreement with ICE aimed at enhancing enforcement against illegal aliens with outstanding deportation orders.

As part of the agreement, the IRS will assist ICE in locating individuals through data-sharing protocols designed to track down those committing Social Security fraud and identity theft.

A new joint task force is also being developed to coordinate federal efforts targeting illegal aliens engaged in financial crimes, including those who use fraudulent identities to gain employment and government benefits.

ICE officials reiterated their commitment to working alongside other agencies to identify and prosecute individuals who exploit American systems for personal or foreign gain.

The agency stated that these crimes will remain a priority as the administration continues efforts to secure the immigration system and hold offenders accountable.

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