USCIS Uncovers U Visa Fraud Scheme by Corrupt Law Enforcement - Release Date 07/17/2025

Chandrakant “Lala” Patel, a Subway franchisee owner in Louisiana, has been arrested and federally indicted for masterminding a 10-year immigration fraud operation that exploited the U visa program, a humanitarian visa pathway designed to protect victims of qualifying crimes.

What Happened?

According to a 62-count federal indictment, Patel allegedly conspired with current and former law enforcement officials to create and submit fraudulent police reports documenting fake armed robberies. These fabricated reports were used to help undocumented immigrants falsely claim eligibility for U nonimmigrant visas.

Why It Matters:

 The U visa program, designed to support crime victims who assist law enforcement, is vital for public trust and community safety. Abuse of this program not only undermines its credibility but also affects genuine applicants awaiting relief.

USCIS fraud detection officers played a key role in uncovering the irregularities, which led to a broader federal investigation involving the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General and other agencies.

This press release can be found here.