Patel himself had previously obtained a U Visa, making his central role in the conspiracy especially striking. The program was designed to protect vulnerable crime victims, but officials say Patel turned it into a pay-to-play system, offering immigration relief in exchange for cash and complicity.

Federal investigators have indicted several current and former law enforcement leaders in Louisiana, accusing them of participating in a paid scheme to bypass immigration laws. They were arrested this week. FBI officials shared details of the 62-count indictment on visa fraud in a Wednesday press conference.