Newly released files from the US Department of Justice have revealed disturbing details about how convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein allegedly used sham marriages, student visas, and legal manoeuvres to keep women tied to him and dependent on his network.
Sham Marriage Helped Secure Citizenship
In early 2013, Epstein’s girlfriend Karyna Shuliak was reportedly worried about her US visa status. Later that year, she married an American citizen, which eased her immigration concerns. She subsequently received a Green Card and later became a US citizen in 2018 before divorcing her spouse.
Messages included in the files suggest the marriage was arranged as part of a strategy to secure legal residency. One of Epstein’s immigration lawyers even joked about celebrating her naturalisation with a themed party, highlighting how casually the process was treated within his circle.
Epstein’s Role in Managing Immigration Status
According to emails and messages cited in the files, Epstein personally sought help from influential contacts to resolve Shuliak’s visa issues, preferring that her case not be directly linked to him. He discussed legal strategies with associates, including reinstating her student visa or pursuing asylum, and consulted high-profile lawyers and investors for assistance.
The documents indicate that legal advice suggested Shuliak had overstayed her visa, complicating her status, and that her asylum application conflicted with temporary student visa requirements.
Student Visas and English Courses as Entry Routes
The files also detail how Epstein frequently enrolled foreign women in English-language schools to help them obtain student visas. These programs provided the paperwork needed to legally stay in the US, provided the students had sufficient financial backing—often supplied by Epstein himself.
Emails and bank records show Epstein sponsored tuition fees, arranged TOEFL preparation materials, and ensured the women could continue their studies regardless of where they were staying, including his private residences.
Work Visas and Elite Immigration Categories
Epstein’s associates also helped women secure work visas, including applications for O-1 visas, which are reserved for individuals with “extraordinary ability.” Lawyers cited careers in modeling, communications, and art curation to justify these petitions, though it remains unclear how many were approved.
His network also included agencies and legal advisers who facilitated visa applications, sometimes guaranteeing financial backing or credit lines to modelling agencies accused of trafficking minors.
A Pattern of Control and Dependency
The documents portray a systematic pattern in which Epstein used legal immigration pathways to keep women financially and legally dependent on him. Emails show frantic attempts to secure visas before travel deadlines and relief when potential complications were avoided.
The revelations add to the growing body of evidence about Epstein’s methods of manipulation and control, raising serious questions about how immigration systems were exploited and who enabled the process.