Epstein's Systematic Immigration Manipulation Exposed in DOJ Files
Newly released documents from the United States Department of Justice have unveiled a disturbing pattern of immigration manipulation orchestrated by the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. The files demonstrate how Epstein utilized student visas, English-language schools, work permits, and even arranged marriages to systematically manage the immigration status of numerous women within his circle.
The Student Visa Pathway
Email exchanges, bank records, and legal correspondence reveal a consistent methodology: Epstein would enroll women in language programs specifically to secure student visas, sponsor their educational expenses, pursue specialized work visas, and in at least one documented instance, arrange a marriage to obtain permanent residency and eventual citizenship.
In a particularly revealing 2012 email exchange concerning an unidentified woman's travel arrangements, Epstein wrote: "Call immigration, does she need an I-20 with her visa???" The messages show two associates frantically seeking answers before a scheduled flight the following morning. When the woman ultimately did not board the aircraft, one individual expressed palpable relief: "I am glad she didn't go. I felt sick at the thought of her coming back on Je plane and something going wrong."
The records indicate that English-language schools frequently served as the initial entry point. In November 2010, Karyna Shuliak enrolled at the Spanish American Institute located in Midtown Manhattan. Such programs could provide the necessary paperwork for student visas, provided applicants demonstrated sufficient financial resources or had a qualified sponsor. Multiple emails and bank statements confirm Epstein sponsored and paid fees for several women.
"This is the English language school that Anna in Paris would like to join," Epstein wrote in 2017 regarding the American Language Communication Center, as quoted by Bloomberg. "Get an I-20 issued and get a visa shees Russian but staying in Paris."
TOEFL Preparation and Educational Support
The courses often prepared students for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) examination, which is required for admission to many United States colleges and universities. In 2015, one employee explicitly wrote: "Jeffrey is in need of TOEFL books again for the island," requesting overnight delivery of educational materials. Subsequent emails show Epstein specifically requested ten TOEFL preparation books for his Paris apartment.
The Case of Karyna Shuliak
Shuliak's immigration journey provides a detailed case study of how Epstein navigated complex immigration hurdles. Epstein arranged her admission to Columbia University's dental school in 2011 as a transfer student from Belarus who had not completed her undergraduate degree. The process was described in the files as particularly complicated.
By mid-2012, concerns emerged regarding her visa status. "I am so sorry if you were given the run around with the immigration office today," a Columbia dental school official wrote to Shuliak in July 2012. "At this time I believe that everything is fine with your immigration status." Neither Columbia University nor the official responded to requests for comment regarding these communications.
Epstein sought additional assistance as challenges mounted. In late 2012, he contacted British investor Ian Osborne, writing: "I don't want to ask as I prefer her not to be a part of my file. I recall you had a good lawyer friend for immigration in Washington."
Osborne replied that he knew someone connected to senior immigration officials and mentioned Greg Craig, then a partner at the prestigious law firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom and a former White House counsel to President Barack Obama. Osborne wrote that Craig "uses an excellent specialist immigration law firm – and then gives Ali Mayorkas over at INS the heads-up. I will call you later today to coordinate."
Mayorkas, who later served as Secretary of Homeland Security under President Joe Biden, does not appear again in the messages, and there is no indication he was aware of this specific matter. Osborne later stated he regretted meeting Epstein and was completely unaware of his illegal behavior. Legal advisors eventually informed Epstein that Shuliak had overstayed her student visa and had a pending asylum case, significantly complicating efforts to reinstate her status. "We will need to decide if pushing the asylum and redoing it, is a more likely path to success than the prosecutorial discretion re the reinstatement," Epstein wrote.
Marriage and Citizenship Acquisition
By August 2013, Epstein was collaborating with immigration attorney Arda Beskardes. "We should also talk about the marriage asap. Are you in NYC?" Beskardes wrote to Epstein and a redacted address.
One month later, Shuliak contacted the lawyer directly: "Can we meet sometime tomorrow? That will be me and Jen." On October 9, 2013, Shuliak married in New York City. The spouse's name was redacted from the marriage certificate, but both individuals listed the same Manhattan address that appears repeatedly throughout the files as housing women and guests connected to Epstein. Subsequent records showed Shuliak and Jennifer maintained a joint bank account.
"Yes Arda, sorry for the delay, waiting for the rest of the info from Jen," Shuliak wrote in response to a follow-up inquiry from Beskardes, as reported by Bloomberg.
In mid-2014, Shuliak applied for a family-based Green Card. An interview was scheduled by December of that year. In January 2015, she wrote triumphantly to Beskardes: "I have received my green card!! Thank you so much for all your help!!!"
Three years later, she was naturalized as a United States citizen. On the day of her citizenship interview, one of Epstein's regular immigration lawyers sent a celebratory message: "Now that she's an American you should throw her a big ole party, with a mechanical bull, red white and blue balloons, and deep fried Snickers bars on flag toothpicks."
Shuliak initiated divorce proceedings in October 2018, mere months after obtaining citizenship. The divorce was finalized less than one year later.
Work Visa Endeavors
The released files also document extensive efforts to secure work visas for women associated with Epstein. His long-time legal adviser, Darren Indyke, filed a work visa application for one woman, citing her volunteer work with Epstein's foundation alongside her modeling career.
In other instances, lawyers pursued O-1 visas, which are reserved for individuals with "extraordinary ability or achievement." Applications described candidates as accomplished professionals in modeling, communications, public relations, and art curation. The documents do not clarify how many of these petitions were ultimately approved by immigration authorities.
A former bookkeeper for MC2 Model Management stated in a sworn deposition that Epstein guaranteed a $1 million credit line to the modeling agency. Its founder, Jean-Luc Brunel, was accused in a civil lawsuit of bringing underage girls to the United States for sexual purposes and supplying them to Epstein. Brunel died in 2022 while facing multiple rape charges.
"Mr. Epstein was paying for the visas. But, you know, all the visas were done through – through Karin's or MC Squared," the former bookkeeper testified.
