Indian National Sentenced in U.S. for Visa Fraud Conspiracy, Faces Deportation

(NEW YORK) An Indian national who helped stage a string of sham robberies to game the U visa program was sentenced to prison and will face removal from the United States 🇺🇸 after his release, federal authorities said. On August 22, 2025, Rambhai Patel, 37, of New York, received 20 months and eight days in prison for conspiracy to commit visa fraud, followed by two years of supervised release. The court also ordered $850,000 forfeiture. After serving his sentence, he is subject to deportation.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Boston announced the sentence, which closes a case that prosecutors say exposed deep abuse of the U visa system meant to protect victims of crimes. Patel pleaded guilty in May 2025 to one count of conspiracy to commit visa fraud after being charged in December 2023. His co-conspirator, Balwinder Singh, is scheduled for sentencing on September 24, 2025.

The scheme and scope

According to court filings, the conspiracy involved at least 18 staged robberies at convenience stores, liquor shops, and fast-food restaurants across the country, including at least five in Massachusetts. The goal was to create false “victim” records so store clerks and owners could seek U nonimmigrant status.

Prosecutors said:
– Some participants paid Patel thousands of dollars to take part; one person paid $20,000.
– Store owners received payments for the use of their businesses.
– During the staged heists, the “robber” would threaten employees with what looked like a gun and grab cash from registers while security cameras recorded the scene.
– The “victims” then delayed calling police to line up their stories, a key part of the planned U visa applications.

Patel’s case underscores how visa fraud schemes can undermine trust in programs designed to help real victims.

How the scheme worked

Investigators say the plot followed a clear pattern:

1. A store owner or clerk agreed to join the plan, sometimes after paying a fee.
2. Patel’s team arranged a staged robbery featuring an apparent firearm to make the incident look real on video.
3. Money was taken to make the crime believable.
4. Later, the “victim” reported the event to police and sought cooperation in an investigation, positioning themselves to apply for a U visa by claiming harm and assistance to law enforcement.

The conspiracy exploited the structure of the U visa, which supports people who have suffered from certain crimes and who help police or prosecutors. Prosecutors say the group counted on the fact that surveillance video, a police report, and a record of cooperation can form the core of a U visa file. By blending staged violence and delayed reporting, they tried to meet those elements on paper without a real crime.

Law enforcement response and removal proceedings

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), which oversees U visa adjudications, was part of the broader response after the arrests. Immigration enforcement agencies, including ICE and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), will handle Patel’s removal proceedings after his prison term.

• In most cases like this, ICE takes custody when the criminal sentence ends, and the person is placed in immigration court for possible deportation.
• Patel’s forfeiture order of $850,000 highlights the severe financial penalties accompanying criminal sentences.

What the U visa requires

The U visa was created to help real victims feel safe coming forward. Key points about eligibility and process:

• The U visa offers protection to people who have suffered mental or physical harm from certain crimes and who are helpful to investigations or prosecutions.
• Applicants generally file Form I-918 (Petition for U Nonimmigrant Status).
• A key part of the packet is Form I-918, Supplement B (law enforcement certification), which confirms the person was a victim of a qualifying crime and was helpful to authorities.
• USCIS explains the program and eligibility on its official site: https://www.uscis.gov/i-918.

Both the petition and Supplement B are available on the USCIS page above.

Federal agents and prosecutors argue that staged events like those tied to Patel damage a program built to protect people who face real threats, including domestic violence, sexual assault, and other serious crimes.

When fraud enters the system, it can trigger:
– Tighter checks
– Longer review times
– More requests for evidence

These consequences can affect thousands of true victims who rely on this relief.

Policy climate and next steps

Patel’s sentencing arrives during a period of tougher enforcement. Under President Trump’s 2025 executive orders, federal agencies have put more weight on vetting, faster removals, and crackdowns on immigration fraud.

• Analysis by VisaVerge.com says this policy push has encouraged more joint operations between prosecutors, USCIS fraud units, and ICE to map crime patterns and pursue rings that target humanitarian visas.
• Congress may consider proposals to tighten certification controls or increase penalties for organizers.

Civil rights advocates caution that overbroad sweeps can chill cooperation with police, especially in communities where victims already fear reporting crimes. Their recommendations include:
– Maintain clear paths for genuine victims.
– Avoid rules that make it harder to seek help.
– Combine careful screening with outreach so people understand standards and do not fear losing protection if they step forward.

Immigration consequences and legal advice

Patel’s case highlights the personal stakes after a criminal conviction for visa fraud:

• A noncitizen who pleads guilty can face prison, fines, deportation, and long bars on returning to the United States.
• After custody shifts to ICE, the person may be detained while removal proceedings move forward.
• Some individuals may ask an immigration judge for relief, but options are limited for those with serious fraud convictions.

Lawyers and community groups emphasize:
– Early legal counsel is essential.
– Defense attorneys must weigh how a plea affects immigration status and future applications.
– Immigration lawyers can explain whether a conviction blocks relief, whether waivers are possible, and how to respond to a Notice to Appear.
– People under investigation should never sign forms or make recorded statements without counsel.

Warning to potential participants

For store owners and workers tempted by schemes that promise quick papers, prosecutors offer a blunt warning:

• Visa fraud invites prison, debt, and possible removal.
• The court-ordered $850,000 forfeiture in this case is a stark reminder that the financial fallout can far exceed any short-term gain.

Officials say the next milestone is co-conspirator Balwinder Singh’s sentencing on September 24, 2025, which may reveal more about the network’s reach. Enforcement teams are expected to keep prioritizing U visa fraud, building cases around surveillance footage, phone records, payments, and inconsistent police report timelines.

USCIS, ICE, and DHS encourage the public to report suspected visa fraud while urging true victims to continue working with law enforcement and filing complete, honest applications. Within that balance—strong screening paired with access for those in danger—lies the future of the U visa program and the communities it was designed to protect.

The Patel case is a warning shot: a plan built on fake violence can unravel under federal scrutiny, and the costs of fraud extend beyond a sentence to include deportation, family separation, and years of legal trouble.