Conspiracy to Commit Visa Fraud: Why is A Conspiracy Charge So Serious?
Being charged with a federal conspiracy is not something to be taken lightly. Federal conspiracy charges often originate with alleged attempts to defraud the United States through the immigration system. People who do not have permanent legal status in the United States can quite easily get caught up in these serious allegations.
Conspiracy to commit any crime is a charge that may bring the full consequences of that crime upon the person charged, regardless of whether the crime was completed. In addition, a conspiracy charge can be charged separately from a crime, meaning you face two charges. Federal agents may also begin investigating a conspiracy before the crime has been carried out, even if not everyone involved is committed.
By themselves, Immigration Fraud and Visa Fraud charges are serious allegations that can lead to federal convictions and deportation. Federal conspiracy charges are separate charges with serious consequences. All that is required is for two or more people to conspire to commit a crime and take some steps towards committing the crime. People with small roles in an alleged conspiracy can find themselves facing consequences that could derail their life irrevocably.
If you have been charged with Visa Fraud or Conspiracy to Commit Visa Fraud, you should retain an experienced Visa Fraud and Conspiracy Attorney as soon as possible.
Visa Fraud and Federal Conspiracy in the News
In a crime that recently hit the headlines, two men were charged with one count each of conspiracy to commit visa fraud using the alleged pretext of 8 or more staged armed robberies, 4 of which took place in Massachusetts. Rambhai Patel and Balwinder Singh were arrested in Seattle and Queens. N.Y.. Singh appeared in federal court in Boston in January and Patel is expected to appear in federal court in Boston at a later date.
The charging documents claim that Patel and his alleged co-conspirators set up and carried out staged armed robberies of 8 or more convenience/liquor stores and fast-food restaurants, allowing clerks at the stores to apply for U Visas. The U Visa is available to victims of crimes, such as violent crimes, or those who have suffered mental or physical abuse and who have been helpful to law enforcement in the investigation or prosecution of criminal activity.
The alleged staged robberies involved a “robber” who would threaten store workers with an apparent firearm and take cash from the registers, subsequently fleeing, while the interaction was captured on surveillance camera. The “victims” would “report” the staged crime after 5 or more minutes had passed. The so-called victims are alleged to have paid Patel to participate in the scheme and in turn Patel allegedly paid the store owners.
Patel and Singh now face charges of conspiracy to commit visa fraud. The charge provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. A general federal conspiracy can result in up to 5 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.
The crime of knowingly using a false document or false statements related to an immigration application can result in up to 5 years imprisonment and fines of up to $250,00.
Visa Fraud charges can rise to 20 or 25 years if the crime was used to facilitate international drug trafficking or terrorism.
Immigration fraud, visa fraud and conspiracy to commit visa fraud are often charged against multiple suspects in federal investigations or stings targeting non-US residents and aliens. At Dhar Law, LLP, we are experienced, trusted immigration fraud attorneys, conspiracy defense attorneys and visa fraud defense attorneys. We have extensive experience fighting for people caught up in the US immigration system who may not speak English or English is not their first language. Our criminal defense services provide translators in all major languages. Please contact us to learn more about our visa fraud defense and conspiracy defense services.
