HOUSTON, Texas — A woman faces a felony charge after being accused of exploiting families chasing the American dream.
Investigators said 45-year-old Irma Aidde Hernandez is charged with felony aggregate theft. According to court documents, she posed as an immigration officer and walked away with thousands of dollars after claiming she could fast-track their immigration status.
Authorities said it started outside the Taco Jeep food truck in south Houston, Texas. At the moment, it is unclear if she worked there or was just visiting. Our sister station KTRK-TV went to the food truck, but it was closed and they have not returned their phone call.
Court documents said last July, a woman, who said she spent a decade trying to secure green cards for herself and her husband, said she met Hernandez there.
After noticing Mexican license plates on her car, the woman claimed Hernandez allegedly struck up a conversation about immigration status and then claimed she worked at the Houston-area immigration office.
The woman claimed Hernandez promised to speed up the woman’s citizenship paperwork for $12,000.
Court documents showed several different payments the woman said she paid Hernandez via Zelle.
But things took a turn in October, when the victim said Hernandez asked her to drive her to Laredo to pick up the promised documents.
Instead, she claimed the trip was rerouted across the border to Monterrey, Mexico, where Hernandez allegedly demanded another $300.
Court records showed investigators later learned two more people were looking for Hernandez at her apartment complex.
They told police they also met her at the taco truck and believed she was a federal immigration employee who could expedite paperwork. Together, they paid $1,950, according to court documents.
Authorities said Hernandez claimed connections to both the U.S. and Mexican governments, and even cartels.
A fourth victim filed a report in early February, alleging she paid $4,565 for the same promised services.
According to court documents, Hernandez bonded out of jail and her next court date is in March.
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