USCIS Uncovers U Visa Fraud Scheme in Louisiana

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced on July 17, 2025, the dismantling of a fraud scheme related to U visas, following an interagency investigation that led to the federal indictment of five individuals in Louisiana, including four law enforcement officers—both active and retired.

Also read: “USCIS Updates Immigration Fees: New Costs Starting July 22, 2025”

What happened?

During an investigation conducted by USCIS’s Fraud Detection unit, inconsistencies were found in Form I-918 applications, which are used to apply for U visas. These anomalies prompted a deeper investigation, which uncovered an alleged organized network dedicated to fabricating false police reports about armed robberies in order to support fraudulent U visa applications.

The formal indictment includes 62 charges and outlines a conspiracy that allegedly spanned more than nine years, centered in central Louisiana.

Who are the accused?

The individuals face federal charges including conspiracy, visa fraud, mail fraud, and bribery. They are:

• Chandrakant Patel (“Lala”), from Oakdale
• Chad Doyle, Chief of Police of Oakdale
• Michael Slaney (“Freck”), Deputy Sheriff of District 5 in Oakdale
• Glynn Dixon, Chief of Police of Forest Hill
• Tebo Onishea, former Chief of Police of Glenmora

According to court documents, Patel acted as a facilitator between foreign nationals seeking U visas and the law enforcement officers, who allegedly created false reports to support the applications. It is also alleged that illegal payments were made in exchange for these documents, some totaling thousands of dollars.

What is a U visa?

The U nonimmigrant visa is an immigration benefit intended for victims of certain crimes, such as violence or extortion, who have suffered abuse and are willing to cooperate with authorities in the investigation or prosecution of the crime. This type of visa aims to strengthen collaboration between immigrants and law enforcement while ensuring their protection during legal proceedings.

To apply, individuals must meet specific requirements and provide supporting documentation, including an official certification from a law enforcement agency through Form I-918B.

Legal implications

If convicted, the defendants could face the following penalties:

• Up to 5 years in prison for conspiracy
• Up to 10 years for visa fraud
• Up to 20 years for mail fraud
• Fines of up to $250,000 per charge
• For Patel, an additional 10 years for bribery

The case is being prosecuted by a Homeland Security Task Force as part of Operation “Reclaim America,” a federal initiative aimed at identifying and combating immigration-related fraud.

USCIS Strengthens Measures Against Fraud

USCIS reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the integrity of the immigration system. The agency encourages anyone who suspects fraud or misuse of immigration benefits to report it using the USCIS Tip Form, available at uscis.gov.

Conclusion

This case highlights the importance of oversight mechanisms and interagency cooperation in detecting fraud that could compromise the immigration system. Misuse of benefits such as the U visa not only undermines the legality of processes but can also harm those who truly need this protection.

For more information about immigration processes and current policies, it is recommended to visit the official USCIS website or follow its official social media channels.

From: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/news-releases/uscis-uncovers-u-visa-fraud-scheme-by-corrupt-law-enforcement-leading-to-federal-indictments 

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