Great Lakes Wire

Three Guatemalan citizens were arrested in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on September 30, 2025. The U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan, Timothy VerHey, announced that Norma Yanari Ayala (34), Rigoberto Vasquez-Vasquez (42), and Edgidio Vasquez-Mencho (41) have been indicted by a grand jury. They face charges related to conspiring to transfer false identification documents and actually transferring such documents. Additionally, Ayala and Vasquez-Mencho are charged with illegal reentry into the United States after having previously been removed.

According to the indictment, from June 2024 through June 2025, the three individuals allegedly conspired to sell counterfeit permanent resident cards and social security account number cards that appeared authentic but were unlawfully produced. These documents were reportedly sold to people believed to be in the country illegally. Seven specific instances of such sales to confidential sources were observed by Homeland Security Investigations agents.

U.S. Attorney VerHey stated, “These cases are a priority. Illegal immigrants come to the United States because they know they can get phony work documents allowing them to take U.S. jobs. We know whatever we can do to disrupt the fraudulent document business will help us get control of illegal immigration.”

The indictment also alleges that Ayala had been removed from the United States on four occasions and Vasquez-Mencho once before both returned without authorization.

If found guilty, each defendant could face up to 15 years in prison.

Homeland Security Investigations is leading the investigation into this case, while Assistant U.S. Attorney Don Daniels is prosecuting it.

It is important to note that these charges are accusations only; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.