An Indian American man in Louisiana has been charged with perpetrating visa fraud. The man and four U.S. law enforcement officials, including three police chiefs, were charged with committing visa fraud in Louisiana.
Chandrakant Patel, a business man and resident of Oakdale, along with Chad Doyle, Glynn Dixon, Tebo Onishea, and Michael Slaney, a city marshal, was indicted in Lafayette on Wednesday.
According to a court document, they were charged for creating false crime reports to support visa claims of immigrants under the U.S. government’s U visa program.
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“The U nonimmigrant status (U visa) is set aside for victims of certain crimes who have suffered mental or physical abuse,” according to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website.
Immigrants contacted Patel to be named as victims in police reports alleging that an armed robbery had occurred, so that they could apply for U visas, the document said.
Patel was himself granted a U visa in 2023, based on his alleged status as a victim of armed robbery.
USCIS said in a press release that the case is being investigated and prosecuted by a Homeland Security Task Force established by President Trump as part of Operation Take Back America.
Visa fraud is the act of using deception or false information to obtain a visa or to stay in a country illegally. It includes submitting fake documents, lying on visa applications, using someone else’s identity, or entering into fraudulent marriages to gain visa approval.
Overstaying a visa or violating its terms can also be considered visa fraud. This crime undermines immigration laws and can lead to serious consequences such as visa denial, deportation, fines, and even criminal charges. Governments take visa fraud seriously to protect national security and maintain the integrity of their immigration systems.
What is United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)?
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is a federal agency under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that oversees lawful immigration to the United States. USCIS handles a wide range of responsibilities including processing applications for permanent residency (green cards), naturalization (citizenship), employment-based visas, asylum, refugee status, Temporary Protected Status (TPS), and humanitarian relief. It also issues key immigration documents such as work permits (EADs), travel documents, and adjusts or extends visa statuses for individuals already in the U.S.
Unlike Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which enforces immigration laws, USCIS focuses on the administrative and service side of immigration.
USCIS plays a vital role in helping immigrants legally enter, live, and work in the United States. It ensures that applicants meet eligibility requirements and that the U.S. immigration system operates in a fair and secure manner. The agency also provides resources to educate immigrants about their rights and responsibilities. With a growing backlog and high demand, USCIS continues to modernize its systems and expand digital services. For many, USCIS is the first point of contact in their journey toward building a life in the U.S., making it a critical part of the country’s immigration and national identity framework.