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USCIS warns against visa fraud after Indian man’s conviction
The agency reiterated its message following the conviction of Indian-origin national Rambhai Patel in a U-visa fraud case
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Malvika Choudhary - Thu, 11, Sep 2025
- 17:07 EDT
- 19
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USCIS logo / USCIS website
In the wake of the conviction of Indian-origin national Rambhai Patel for visa fraud, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a warning that fraud jeopardizes the integrity of the U.S. immigration system and denies genuine applicants opportunities.
“Immigration fraud is not a victimless crime. It robs our nation’s lawful immigration system of valuable benefits intended for those who deserve and earn them,” USCIS said in a statement on X following Patel’s sentencing.
Also Read: Indian Man Pleads Guilty to Staging Armed Robberies for U.S. Visa Fraud
Immigration fraud is not a victimless crime. It robs our nation’s lawful immigration system of valuable benefits intended for those who deserve and earn them.
— USCIS (@USCIS) September 9, 2025
This alien from India will serve jail time, forfeit $850,000 he collected from his scheme, and face removal from the… pic.twitter.com/XwBnNDAGvK
According to court records, Patel, 37, conspired with Balwinder Singh to stage armed robberies across several U.S. states to create false evidence that would allow participants to apply for U visas, which are temporary immigration benefits for victims of certain crimes who have suffered substantial mental or physical abuse and are willing to cooperate with law enforcement in investigating or prosecuting the crime.
Prosecutors said Patel charged thousands of dollars to include individuals in the scheme, with one participant paying as much as $20,000. He pleaded guilty earlier this year to conspiracy to commit visa fraud. He was sentenced to 20 months and eight days in prison, followed by two years of supervised release, and ordered to forfeit more than $850,000. He will be deported to India after completing his sentence. Singh is awaiting sentencing later this month.
The Patel case is one of several recent examples involving Indian nationals. In May, federal prosecutors secured the conviction of Nasir Hussain, an Indian citizen who submitted false claims of domestic abuse in a Violence Against Women Act self-petition. Separately, authorities in Louisiana charged multiple law enforcement officials in connection with a conspiracy that allegedly produced hundreds of fraudulent U-visa applications, some involving South Asian applicants.
USCIS said these prosecutions reflect a wider crackdown on the misuse of immigration benefits. The agency has increased screening and vetting, expanded cooperation with investigators, and urged the public to report suspected fraud.
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