🚨 A Visa Meant for Victims but Exploited by the Police
The very law meant to protect undocumented victims of crime is now at the center of a federal fraud scandal involving the very people meant to uphold it.
Federal authorities have arrested five individuals three current/former Louisiana police chiefs, a marshal, and a businessman, for allegedly orchestrating a scheme that falsified armed robbery reports to help hundreds of noncitizens fraudulently obtain U visas which is a program designed for immigrant victims who cooperate with law enforcement.
Let that sink in: Police allegedly faked crimes so immigrants could falsely claim victimhood. Crooked police finally being called out for who they truly are.
What Is a U Visa?
The U Visa is a special form of legal protection for noncitizens who are victims of serious crimes; like sexual assault, domestic violence or human trafficking and who are willing to help law enforcement investigate or prosecute those crimes.
It was meant to build trust between immigrant communities and police, encouraging undocumented people to report violence without fear of deportation. In return, eligible applicants may receive a path to legal status and eventually a green card.
But there’s a catch: To qualify, a law enforcement agency has to certify the crime actually happened, and that the applicant was helpful in the investigation.
And that’s why I’m here now writing about this alleged scam. 😂
🕵🏽♂️ What the Police Chiefs Are Accused Of
According to federal prosecutors, three Louisiana police chiefs and two accomplices created fake armed robbery reports for hundreds of immigrants who were never victims of those crimes.
In some cases, the immigrants may not have even known the reports were fake, relying on a middleman to help file the paperwork. In others, investigators say the applicants knew the reports were false, but paid anyway to move their immigration status forward.
Each fabricated report was allegedly used to support a U visa petition, part of a scheme authorities say undermines the integrity of an already overloaded immigration system.
👮🏽 Who Was Arrested?
As of now, the following individuals have been arrested and face federal charges:
- Three police chiefs: Chad Doyle, Glynn Dixon and Tebo Onishea
- Two civilians, Oakdale Subway restaurant owner Chandrakant Patel, Oakdale Ward 5 Marshal Mike “Freck” Slaney, involved in helping prepare and submit false documents
- Charges include conspiracy to commit visa fraud, falsification of records, and obstruction of justice
Federal agents are continuing to investigate the depth of the scheme and whether other law enforcement officers may have been involved.
Why This Case Is Explosive
This isn’t just another case of police misconduct. It’s a breach of trust on two major fronts:
- Law enforcement betraying their role as gatekeepers of truth.
- A vulnerable population, immigrants,
being used to manipulate a federal system.
The scandal could trigger increased scrutiny for all future U visa applicants, even those who are actual victims of serious crimes.
Immigrant rights advocates say it’s a textbook example of how corruption at the top hurts the most vulnerable at the bottom.
“This is exactly why people don’t trust the system now because it’s like being played by those who are supposed to protect it”.