A Philippine national residing illegally in Saipan has been sentenced for immigration fraud, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. Lorna R. Maramba, 64, was sentenced on March 2, 2026, by Judge Ramona V. Manglona in the United States District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands. She received credit for time served after being convicted of possessing a false identification document with intent to defraud the United States, a violation of federal law. The court also imposed a $25 special assessment fee. Maramba was deported to the Philippines following her sentencing.
Court records indicate that on January 21, 2026, Maramba attempted to leave Saipan for Hawaii through Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport. During an outbound inspection, she presented two fraudulent U.S. Permanent Resident Cards to Customs and Border Protection officers. The cards contained different personal details, mismatched USCIS numbers, and altered photographs.
Maramba initially claimed lawful permanent resident status but checks revealed she had no legal immigration status and had overstayed her CNMI-Only Transitional Worker (CW-1) visa since it expired in 2020. She later admitted that both cards were counterfeit and said she paid $2,000 to someone she met on Facebook who falsely claimed to be a U.S. immigration officer. Maramba told investigators she intended to use the documents to travel to Hawaii for employment and acknowledged her unlawful presence in the CNMI.
United States Attorney Shawn N. Anderson commented: “The CNMI benefits from special provisions in federal immigration law that promote economic relief,” stated United States Attorney Anderson. “Our office will continue to aggressively enforce any violations. This case sends a message of zero tolerance to those who take advantage of these provisions to deprive citizens in other jurisdictions of employment opportunities.”
HSI Special Agent in Charge Lucia Cabral-DeArmas added: “HSI Saipan protects the community by investigating fraud and other crimes that threaten our security. Working alongside CBP and other partners, we make sure those who break the law are identified and brought to justice,” said HSI Special Agent in Charge Lucia Cabral-DeArmas.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Eric S. O’Malley.
