Louisiana Law Enforcers Caught in Visa Fraud Web

In a shocking turn of events, four law enforcement officers and a businessman in Louisiana have been accused of cooking up fake police reports. Their goal? To help immigrants get U. S. visas they weren't entitled to. This scheme allegedly went on for nearly a decade, from the end of 2015 to mid-2025. The accused include two current police chiefs, a former chief, and a marshal. They're said to have created false reports claiming immigrants were victims of armed robberies. These reports were then used to apply for U visas, which are meant for crime victims. The businessman at the center of this scheme, Chandrakant Patel, allegedly paid the officers $5, 000 for each fake report. He also reportedly paid $5, 000 to the Rapides Parish Sheriff's Office to get a false report from them. The number of names involved is staggering, making it look like there was an unusual number of armed robberies involving non-Louisiana residents. The charges against them are serious. They include conspiracy, visa fraud, mail fraud, money laundering, and bribery. If found guilty, they could face up to 20 years in prison for some charges. The U visa program, meant to protect crime victims, has now become a target for fraud. This isn't the first time the U visa program has faced issues. A report from 2022 warned that it was poorly managed and open to fraud. Just last year, six men were charged with staging armed robberies to get U visas. It's clear that this program needs a closer look to prevent such scams.