Indian-American Subway Owner Led Massive U-Visa Fraud with Louisiana Chiefs

Key Takeaways

• Indian-American Subway owner and five Louisiana police chiefs arrested for decade-long U-visa fraud scheme.
• Fraud involved fake police reports sold to immigrants to obtain U-visas, lasting from 2015 to 2025.
• Defendants face charges including conspiracy, mail fraud, visa fraud, bribery, with penalties up to 20 years.

Federal authorities have arrested and charged an Indian-American Subway owner and several Louisiana police chiefs in a decade-long U-visa fraud scheme, one of the largest immigration fraud cases in recent United States 🇺🇸 history. The case, which came to light in July 2025, exposes deep flaws in the U-visa system and raises serious questions about law enforcement integrity, immigrant protections, and the future of humanitarian visa programs.

Who is involved, what happened, and why does it matter?
Chandrakant “Lala” Patel, a Subway franchise owner in Oakdale, Louisiana, stands accused of masterminding a complex operation with the help of three current and former Louisiana police chiefs and two other law enforcement officials. Together, they allegedly created and sold fake police reports to immigrants, allowing them to fraudulently apply for U-visas—special visas meant for victims of violent crimes who help police. The conspiracy ran from December 2015 through July 2025, affecting hundreds of immigrants and their families.

How the U-Visa Fraud Scheme Unfolded

Federal prosecutors say the U-visa fraud began when immigrants seeking legal status approached Patel for help. Patel, known in the community as a successful Subway owner, offered a solution—for a price. Immigrants reportedly paid Patel up to $5,000 each. Patel then paid law enforcement officers, including Oakdale Police Chief Chad Doyle, Ward 5 Marshal Michael “Freck” Slaney, former Forest Hill Police Chief Glynn Dixon, and former Glenmora Police Chief Tebo Onishea, to create fake police reports. These reports falsely claimed the immigrants were victims of armed robberies that never happened.

With these fake reports in hand, immigrants applied for U-visas, which, if approved, would allow them and their families to stay in the United States 🇺🇸 legally. The operation continued for nearly ten years, with Patel collecting hundreds of thousands of dollars and officers receiving up to $5,000 per fraudulent report.

The scheme unraveled when federal authorities noticed a sudden spike in armed robbery reports involving non-local individuals in small Louisiana communities. This statistical anomaly triggered an investigation by the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security, leading to the arrests and indictments announced on July 16–17, 2025.

Key Charges and Legal Consequences

The charges in this case are serious and wide-ranging:

• Chandrakant “Lala” Patel: Faces conspiracy, bribery, 24 counts of mail fraud, and eight counts of money laundering. He is the only defendant charged with bribery.
• Law Enforcement Officials: All five law enforcement officers face conspiracy and mail fraud charges. Four are charged with visa fraud, and all but Onishea face money laundering charges.

If convicted, each defendant could face:

• Up to 5 years for conspiracy
• Up to 10 years for visa fraud
• Up to 20 years for mail fraud
• An additional 10 years for bribery (for Patel)
• Fines up to $250,000 per count

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana is leading the prosecution, with Oakdale city officials promising full cooperation. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the scale of this case is unprecedented, both in the number of fraudulent applications and the involvement of multiple law enforcement agencies.

What is the U-Visa Program?

The U-visa program was created in 2000 under the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act. Its goal is to help immigrants who are victims of serious crimes—such as domestic violence, sexual assault, or human trafficking—by offering them a path to legal status if they cooperate with law enforcement.

Key facts about the U-visa:

• Annual Cap: Only 10,000 U-visas are issued each year, but each visa can also cover immediate family members, increasing the total number of people affected.
• Eligibility: Applicants must show they were victims of a qualifying crime and have helped or are willing to help police or prosecutors.
• Certification: A law enforcement agency must sign a form (Form I-918, Supplement B) confirming the applicant’s helpfulness. Access the official Form I-918, Supplement B here.

The program is a lifeline for many immigrants who fear reporting crimes due to their immigration status. However, it relies heavily on honest police work and accurate reporting.

How Did the Fraud Work? Step-by-Step

1. Immigrants seeking legal status contacted Patel for help.
2. Patel collected payments—sometimes up to $5,000 per person.
3. Patel paid police officers to create fake reports, stating the immigrants were victims of violent crimes.
4. Immigrants used these reports to apply for U-visas, submitting the fraudulent paperwork to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
5. Federal authorities noticed a pattern—a sudden rise in armed robbery reports involving non-local victims in small towns.
6. An investigation began, uncovering the network of fraud and leading to the arrests.

Why This Case Matters

This U-visa fraud case is not just about individual wrongdoing. It exposes weaknesses in the U-visa system and raises concerns for several groups:

For Immigrants

• Legitimate victims may face more hurdles. With increased scrutiny, genuine applicants could see longer wait times and tougher requirements.
• Fear of backlash. Some immigrants worry this scandal will fuel anti-immigrant sentiment and make it harder for real victims to come forward.

For Law Enforcement

• Trust is at risk. When police chiefs and marshals are involved in fraud, it damages trust between police and immigrant communities.
• Calls for reform. Honest officers may face more paperwork and oversight, but many agree stronger checks are needed.

For Policy Makers

• Pressure to act. Lawmakers are calling for hearings and possible changes to the U-visa program to prevent future abuse.
• Need for balance. Any reforms must protect against fraud without harming real victims who need help.

For the Indian-American and Local Communities

• Reputational damage. The involvement of a well-known Indian-American business owner has shaken both the local and broader Indian-American communities.
• Concerns for business owners. Other immigrant business owners fear increased suspicion and scrutiny.

Official and Expert Perspectives

Acting U.S. Attorney Alec Van Hook summed up the stakes: “U visas serve a valuable purpose… and this is the case where the U visas were abused.” He stressed that the program is meant to help victims, not those looking to cheat the system.

Retired Homeland Security investigator Victor Avila and former FBI Supervisory Special Agent James Gagliano both highlighted the scale of the fraud and the challenge it poses to immigration enforcement and public trust. They warned that such cases can make it harder for law enforcement to work with immigrant communities in the future.

Broader Impact on U-Visa Applicants

The fallout from this case is already being felt:

• Stricter reviews: U-visa applications across the United States 🇺🇸 are likely to face more checks, slowing down the process for everyone.
• Higher burden of proof: Applicants may need to provide more evidence and face more questions about their claims.
• Possible policy changes: The Department of Homeland Security is reviewing certification procedures and may require more verification from police departments.

For official information on U-visa eligibility and application procedures, readers can visit the USCIS U-visa page.

Historical Context and Previous Cases

While there have been isolated incidents of U-visa fraud in the past, this case stands out for its size and the involvement of multiple law enforcement officials. In recent years, the U-visa program has faced backlogs and criticism, but this scandal is likely to speed up calls for reform.

Past changes to the U-visa program include:

• Increased documentation requirements: To prevent fraud, applicants now need to provide more evidence of their claims.
• Longer wait times: Due to high demand and limited visas, many applicants wait years for a decision.
• More oversight: Law enforcement agencies are under pressure to carefully review and certify only genuine cases.

What’s Next? Ongoing Investigations and Possible Reforms

The FBI and Department of Homeland Security are still investigating the full extent of the fraud. They want to know:

• How many fraudulent visas were issued?
• Are there similar schemes in other states?
• How can the system be improved to prevent future abuse?

Lawmakers are discussing possible legislative changes, such as:

• Stricter penalties for those who commit U-visa fraud
• Better training for law enforcement on how to spot and prevent fraud
• Improved communication between agencies to catch unusual patterns sooner

Multiple Perspectives: Voices from the Community

Immigrant Rights Advocates

Many advocates worry that the scandal will make it harder for real victims to get help. “We’re concerned that this will lead to more suspicion and delays for people who truly need protection,” said one advocate. They urge authorities to keep the program’s humanitarian purpose in mind while making changes.

Law Enforcement

Some officers feel betrayed by their colleagues’ actions. “This hurts all of us who work hard to build trust with immigrant communities,” said a local police officer. Others agree that more oversight is needed but hope reforms won’t make it impossible to help real victims.

Policy Experts

Experts say the case shows the need for better oversight and communication between agencies. They recommend using data analysis to spot unusual patterns, like the spike in armed robbery reports that helped uncover this scheme.

Solution-Oriented Steps: How to Protect the U-Visa Program

To restore trust and protect real victims, experts suggest:

• Stronger verification: Require more evidence and cross-checks before approving U-visa applications.
• Better training: Teach law enforcement how to spot and report fraud.
• Community outreach: Work with immigrant groups to explain the program and encourage honest reporting.
• Transparency: Share information about fraud cases and reforms with the public to rebuild trust.

Practical Guidance for U-Visa Applicants

If you are applying for a U-visa:

• Use only official channels. Never pay anyone to create or alter police reports.
• Gather real evidence. Keep records of police reports, court documents, and any communication with law enforcement.
• Check your certification. Make sure your law enforcement certification (Form I-918, Supplement B) is genuine and signed by an authorized official.
• Seek legal help. If you have questions, contact a trusted immigration attorney or a recognized nonprofit organization.

For more information on U-visa eligibility and the application process, visit the USCIS official U-visa page.

Conclusion: Lessons from the Louisiana U-Visa Fraud Case

The U-visa fraud involving a Subway owner and Louisiana police chiefs is a wake-up call for the United States 🇺🇸 immigration system. It shows how even well-meaning programs can be abused when oversight is weak and trust is broken. As the investigation continues, all eyes are on lawmakers, law enforcement, and immigrant advocates to find solutions that protect both the integrity of the system and the rights of real victims.

By learning from this case and making smart, fair changes, the United States 🇺🇸 can continue to offer hope to those who need it most—while stopping those who try to cheat the system. As reported by VisaVerge.com, the outcome of this case will likely shape U-visa policy and immigrant protections for years to come.

Learn Today

U-visa → A special visa for victims of serious crimes who assist law enforcement with investigations or prosecutions.
Mail fraud → A crime involving fraudulent schemes using the postal service or electronic communications for deception.
Money laundering → The process of making illegally gained money appear legitimate through complex transactions.
Bribery → Offering or receiving something of value to influence the actions of an official or authority.
Conspiracy → An agreement between two or more parties to commit a criminal act or deception.

This Article in a Nutshell

A major U-visa fraud case in Louisiana exposes systemic weaknesses as a Subway owner and police chiefs sold fake reports, undermining immigrant protections and law enforcement integrity over ten years.
— By VisaVerge.com