Guatemalan Illegal Sentenced for Counterfeit Document Scheme

Edgidio Vasquez-Mencho received 6 months in prison before deportation for his role in selling fake IDs to other undocumented immigrants

Apr. 1, 2026 at 2:08pm

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Edgidio Vasquez-Mencho, a 41-year-old Guatemalan national, was sentenced to 6 months in federal prison for his involvement in an operation that sold counterfeit Social Security cards and permanent resident alien cards to other illegal immigrants in the Grand Rapids, Michigan area. Vasquez-Mencho is the second of three Guatemalan nationals charged in the scheme, which enabled undocumented individuals to secure jobs and obtain public services reserved for lawful residents.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing issue of illegal immigration and the use of counterfeit documents to circumvent U.S. immigration laws. The sentencing of Vasquez-Mencho and his co-conspirators aims to disrupt the supply chain of fraudulent identification that enables undocumented immigrants to unlawfully work and access public benefits.

The details

Vasquez-Mencho's specific role in the scheme involved handing over the counterfeit documents to buyers and collecting payments. This was his third time being caught unlawfully present in the United States, with previous incidents resulting in voluntary departure and formal removal to Guatemala. After serving his current 6-month sentence, Vasquez-Mencho will be deported to Guatemala once again.

  • The case originated in September 2025 with a grand jury indictment in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
  • Vasquez-Mencho was sentenced in March 2026.

The players

Edgidio Vasquez-Mencho

A 41-year-old Guatemalan national who was convicted of participating in an operation that sold counterfeit Social Security cards and permanent resident alien cards to other illegal immigrants in the Grand Rapids area.

Norma Yanari Ayala

One of the three Guatemalan nationals charged in the counterfeit document scheme. Ayala was previously deported four times and was sentenced to 8 months in federal prison for her role in the scheme.

Rigoberto Vasquez-Vasquez

One of the three Guatemalan nationals charged in the counterfeit document scheme.

Timothy VerHey

The U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan who announced the sentencing of Vasquez-Mencho and Ayala.

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What they’re saying

“Vasquez-Mencho deserved to be prosecuted and punished. It is bad enough that he has repeatedly violated our immigration laws by crossing the border without permission. Worse than that, once he got here, he operated an illegal document business that enabled others like him to obtain employment illegally and claim taxpayer-supported public services. This conduct must stop.”

— Timothy VerHey, U.S. Attorney

What’s next

After serving his 6-month prison sentence, Vasquez-Mencho will be deported to Guatemala for the third time.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges of illegal immigration and the use of counterfeit documents to circumvent U.S. laws. The sentencing of Vasquez-Mencho and his co-conspirators aims to disrupt the supply chain of fraudulent identification that enables undocumented immigrants to unlawfully work and access public benefits.