Two Indian nationals have found themselves in trouble. Sampath Rajidi (51) and Sreedhar Mada (51) were involved in an H-1B visa fraud case that drew attention in U.S. immigration enforcement actions.
Between June 2020 and January 2023, they submitted multiple H-1B visa petitions on behalf of foreign beneficiaries, claiming job placements that were later found to be fraudulent.
As per the U.S. Department of Justice disclosures and court filings, the scheme centered on creating or using false job positions linked to reputed institutions, including entities associated with the University of California system and its agricultural research arm. The petitions presented these roles as legitimate, full-time employment opportunities that would qualify foreign workers for H-1B visas.
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However, investigations revealed that many of these positions either did not exist or were not intended to be filled in the manner described in the filings.
Once the visas were approved, the beneficiaries were allegedly placed in arrangements that deviated from the original petition terms, sometimes being routed to third-party clients or consulting assignments. This mismatch between the petitioned job and actual employment conditions is a key violation of H-1B program rules, which require transparency and employer-employee relationship integrity.
Authorities treated the matter as a conspiracy and visa fraud case, emphasizing the misuse of the U.S. immigration system. Both individuals ultimately faced legal consequences, including guilty pleas as reported in public court records. The case highlights ongoing scrutiny of H-1B filings, particularly around consultancies and staffing models that exploit loopholes in sponsorship requirements.
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“They submitted false information knowing such information was material to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) decisions in granting visas. As a result of their conspiracy, Rajidi and Mada gained an unfair advantage over other firms and depleted the pool of H-1B visas available to competing firms,” the court document said.
Both defendants face a maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, according to media reports.
This situation reinforces the importance of transparency, accurate documentation, and adherence to regulatory requirements in all immigration-related processes. Maintaining the credibility of skilled visa programs is essential not only for fair access but also for preserving the economic and professional value these programs are intended to provide to both employers and foreign workers.