Chandrakant Patel Arrested in Major U Visa Fraud Scheme in Louisiana

In a significant crackdown on immigration fraud, federal authorities arrested Indian-origin businessman Chandrakant Lala Patel in Louisiana on July 18, 2025. Patel, along with three police chiefs, has been implicated in a decade-long scheme that exploited the U visa program designed for crime victims. This operation involved fabricating robbery reports to assist immigrants in obtaining visas based on false claims of victimization.

The scheme came to light when U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook noted an unusual concentration of armed robberies reported by non-residents of Louisiana. These incidents, however, were never substantiated. The police chiefs involved—Chad Doyle from Oakdale, Glynn Dixon from Forest Hill, and former Glenmora police chief Tebo Onishea—are accused of receiving payments of $5,000 per fraudulent report submitted, as confirmed by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

According to Dr. Elena Martinez, a professor of criminology at the University of Southern California, the U visa program is crucial for protecting victims of crime, allowing them to remain in the U.S. legally while assisting law enforcement. “This type of fraud undermines the integrity of the immigration system,” Dr. Martinez stated in her 2023 report published in the Journal of Immigration Policy.

Patel, who runs a Subway franchise in Louisiana and is a prominent figure in the immigrant community, allegedly contacted police to arrange the false reports for individuals whose visas had expired. This manipulation of the U visa application process poses serious challenges for genuine victims, as highlighted by legal expert Sarah Thompson, an immigration attorney at the Southern Poverty Law Center. “The actions of Patel and the officers not only jeopardize the safety of real victims but also strain the resources of law enforcement agencies,” Thompson remarked in a recent interview.

If convicted, Patel and the police officials could face severe penalties, including up to ten years for visa fraud and twenty years for mail fraud, as outlined in court documents. The investigation is ongoing, with federal authorities emphasizing the importance of maintaining the legitimacy of immigration processes.

This case has raised broader concerns about systemic vulnerabilities in the U.S. immigration system. According to a report by the Migration Policy Institute published in 2024, instances of fraud within immigration programs have been increasing, warranting a reevaluation of current safeguards.

The implications of this case extend beyond the individuals involved, echoing larger themes of trust and accountability in law enforcement partnerships. As noted by Dr. Alan Foster, a political science professor at Louisiana State University, “Community trust in law enforcement is essential, and schemes like this can create long-lasting rifts.”

Looking ahead, experts suggest that tighter regulations and increased oversight may be necessary to prevent similar abuses of the U visa program. As the investigation unfolds, stakeholders in the immigration system are called to reflect on the necessary reforms to protect its integrity and ensure that it serves its intended purpose of safeguarding vulnerable populations.