H-1B Visa Fraud Scheme: Two Men Face Prison in 2026
A California man ran two visa companies and used a university official's name to get H-1B work visas approved for jobs that never existed. The workers were then sold to other clients like a product. Now both men face up to five years in prison — and the case is a warning to every H-1B worker about what fraud in the system can mean for them.
Two Men Plead Guilty to H-1B Visa Fraud in California
Sampath Rajidi, 51, and Sreedhar Mada, 51, both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit visa fraud, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced. Rajidi ran two visa servicing companies — S-Team Software Inc. and Uptrend Technologies LLC. Mada was the chief information officer at University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources in Davis, California.
Between June 2020 and January 2023, the two men worked together to submit fake H-1B visa petitions (a type of work visa for specialty occupation workers) to USCIS. Rajidi falsely claimed that foreign workers would be employed at the University of California. Mada used his title and the university's reputation to make those claims look real. In truth, both men knew the jobs did not exist and the workers never worked on any university projects.
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After getting H-1B visas approved using false information, Rajidi marketed those workers to other clients. This gave their companies an unfair advantage over honest competitors. It also reduced the number of H-1B visas available to other companies and workers who applied legally. The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of State's Diplomatic Security Service, ICE's Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, and USCIS's Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate.
What Happens Next
Both Rajidi and Mada are scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Troy L. Nunley on July 30, 2026. Each faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. The actual sentence will be decided by the judge based on federal sentencing guidelines and other factors.
What to Do If You Are an H-1B Worker
- Check that your employer filed your H-1B petition (Form I-129, the petition for a nonimmigrant worker) honestly. Your job title, duties, and worksite on the petition must match your real job.
- If you believe your employer submitted false information on your behalf — even without your knowledge — talk to an immigration lawyer right away. You may have options to protect your status.
- If you suspect H-1B fraud by an employer or visa company, you can report it using the USCIS Tip Form at uscis.gov.
- Keep copies of all your immigration documents, pay stubs, and work records. These can help prove your employment was real if USCIS ever questions your petition.
Fishkin Law Firm, New York
H-1B workers placed by staffing or consulting companies are especially vulnerable when their employer commits fraud — even workers who had no idea their petitions contained false information can face visa revocation or bars on future immigration benefits. If USCIS sends you a Request for Evidence (RFE) or a Notice of Intent to Revoke your H-1B, you have a limited window to respond, and the response must be thorough and well-documented. Do not ignore any USCIS notice — consult an immigration attorney immediately to protect your status.