U Visa Fraud: Louisiana Police Chiefs Took Bribes
You paid thousands of dollars to be listed as a crime victim — and the crime never happened. That is the story federal prosecutors laid out in Louisiana, where four sitting police chiefs and a businessman ran a decade-long scheme selling fake U visa applications. The last defendant pleaded guilty on June 30, 2026, and the case is now shaking trust in one of the few immigration programs designed to protect vulnerable people.
You paid thousands of dollars to someone who promised you a U visa — a legal path to stay in the US as a crime victim. But the robbery you were listed as a victim of never happened. That is exactly what federal prosecutors say occurred across three Louisiana towns for nearly a decade.
On June 30, 2026, Glynn Dixon, 62, former chief of police in Forest Hill, Louisiana, pleaded guilty in federal court to bribery, visa fraud, and mail fraud. He was the last of five defendants to admit guilt. His co-conspirators — Chandrakant Patel, 40, a local business owner; Chad Doyle, 55, former Oakdale chief of police; Michael Slaney, 64, former Oakdale Ward 5 marshal; and Tebo Onishea, 38, former Glenmora chief of police — had already entered guilty pleas. All five were indicted on July 2, 2025.
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How the scheme worked
Between December 2015 and July 2025, the group fabricated police reports describing armed robberies that never took place. Patel collected thousands of dollars from immigrants who wanted to be listed as crime victims on those fake reports. That victim status was then used to apply for U visas — a program created by Congress to protect people who help law enforcement investigate real crimes. Patel also tried to bribe a Rapides Parish Sheriff's Office official to produce another false report. Because the fake documents were mailed through the US Postal Service, the defendants also face mail fraud charges. Patel faces up to 20 years in prison. Dixon, Doyle, Slaney, and Onishea each face up to five years. The case was investigated by HSI, the FBI, the IRS Criminal Investigation Division, and USCIS's Fraud Detection and National Security Division.
Why this matters for legitimate U visa applicants
The U visa program exists for real crime victims — people who suffered abuse, assault, or trafficking and who cooperate with law enforcement. Fraud cases like this one put pressure on USCIS to scrutinize every application more carefully. HSI New Orleans acting Special Agent in Charge Matt Wright said the agency will investigate anyone who exploits immigration relief programs, including public officials. If you filed a legitimate U visa application and your certifying official is under investigation, your case may face delays or additional review — even if you did nothing wrong.
What to do
- If you paid someone to help you get a U visa and you are not sure whether the police report was real, talk to an immigration lawyer before USCIS contacts you. Submitting a fraudulent application — even unknowingly — can affect your immigration status.
- If you are a genuine crime victim and want to apply for a U visa (Form I-918, the petition for U nonimmigrant status), make sure your certifying official is a current, active law enforcement agency — not someone under investigation.
- If your legitimate U visa application has been delayed and you believe it is connected to a fraud investigation involving your certifying official, an immigration attorney can help you submit a written explanation to USCIS.
- Do not pay large upfront fees to anyone who promises a guaranteed visa. Report suspected immigration fraud to the USCIS tip line at 1-800-375-5283.
A full breakdown of this topic — in our guide “J-1 Visa for Exchange Programs”.
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Anyone who submitted a U visa application — Form I-918 — based on a police certification from one of these officials should assume USCIS will flag that file for fraud review. You have the right to respond to a Request for Evidence (RFE) or a Notice of Intent to Deny, and doing so with documented proof that you were a genuine victim can preserve your case. If USCIS denies the application and you are placed in removal proceedings, you may still raise your victim status as a defense before an immigration judge. Do not wait for USCIS to contact you — speak with an immigration attorney now to get ahead of any review.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a U visa and who qualifies?
A U visa (filed on Form I-918) is for people who were victims of certain crimes — such as assault, robbery, or trafficking — and who helped or are helping law enforcement investigate or prosecute that crime. It can lead to a work permit and, after three years, a green card application.
I paid someone to get me a U visa. Could I be in trouble even if I didn't know the report was fake?
Possibly. USCIS can deny a U visa application if it finds the supporting documents were fraudulent, even if the applicant was deceived. In serious cases, submitting a fraudulent application — even unknowingly — can affect future immigration benefits. An immigration attorney can review your specific situation and advise whether you need to take any action.
Will this case make it harder for real crime victims to get a U visa?
Fraud cases like this one typically lead USCIS to increase scrutiny of U visa applications overall. Processing times may lengthen and more applications may receive Requests for Evidence. Genuine victims should make sure their certifying law enforcement official is active and in good standing, and that all supporting documents are accurate.
What happens to people who already received a U visa through this scheme?
USCIS can revoke a U visa if it determines the application was based on fraud. That could trigger removal proceedings — the formal process that can lead to deportation. If you are in this situation, contact an immigration lawyer immediately. You may have defenses available, including showing you were a victim of the fraud scheme yourself.