Monroe Businessman Sentenced for Conspiracy to Commit Visa Fraud
By: Staff
Updated: November 6, 2012
U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE -- United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Mahinderpal Singh Dhaliwal, also known as Paul Dhaliwal, 59, of Monroe, La., was sentenced to 24 months in prison and a term of three years supervised release upon his release from prison by United States District Judge Robert G. James.
Dhaliwal was convicted of Conspiracy to commit various offenses including: Bringing in and Inducing Aliens to Come to, Enter and Reside in the United States, Fraud and Misuse of a Visa, Mail Fraud and Making False Statements to the U.S. Department of Labor, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service and the United States Department of State.
Evidence presented at his guilty plea hearing showed that Dhaliwal and others in India devised an unlawful scheme so that citizens of India could falsely apply for and obtain visas at the U.S. embassy and consulate offices in India to enter the United States to work at U.S. companies who falsely stated that they needed workers.
As part of this conspiracy, Dhaliwal created and incorporated two companies in Monroe. He set up "storefront" offices in Monroe, La., and in Tampa, Fl., so that it would appear that these companies were working businesses and were in need of seamen and workers from India.
Dhaliwal prepared and submitted false documents to various agencies and departments of the United States government which falsely stated that these aliens would work as seamen on ships.
Each individual in India who wanted to enter the United States paid approximately $15,000 to Dhaliwal's co-conspirators in India to obtain and use these falsely obtained documents and others to obtain visas to enter and work in the U.S. Dhaliwal was paid from $60,000 to $70,000 for his part in this scheme.
At least 79 individuals in India applied for these Visas. Of the 79 applicants, 49 were refused, 30 visas were issued, and 27 aliens entered the U.S. and disappeared. When questioned by Department of State Diplomatic Security Service Special Agents first in Monroe and then in India about his activities, Dhaliwal made additional false statements in an attempt to conceal his part in this crime and obstruct the investigation.
United States Attorney Finley said, "There is a lawful process for foreign workers to obtain visas to enter the country and work in the United States. Every effort is made to detect, investigate and prosecute those who violate the laws of the United States and encourage aliens to unlawfully obtain visas to illegally enter the United States. Mr. Dhaliwal's sole reason for committing this crime was in order to make money. He had no concern for the law or the impact that such activity has on those who desire to enter this country legally. His greed is the reason why he will now spend the next two years in prison."
The case was investigated by the United States Department of State Diplomatic Security Service. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert W. Gillespie, Jr.
Dhaliwal was convicted of Conspiracy to commit various offenses including: Bringing in and Inducing Aliens to Come to, Enter and Reside in the United States, Fraud and Misuse of a Visa, Mail Fraud and Making False Statements to the U.S. Department of Labor, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service and the United States Department of State.
Evidence presented at his guilty plea hearing showed that Dhaliwal and others in India devised an unlawful scheme so that citizens of India could falsely apply for and obtain visas at the U.S. embassy and consulate offices in India to enter the United States to work at U.S. companies who falsely stated that they needed workers.
As part of this conspiracy, Dhaliwal created and incorporated two companies in Monroe. He set up "storefront" offices in Monroe, La., and in Tampa, Fl., so that it would appear that these companies were working businesses and were in need of seamen and workers from India.
Dhaliwal prepared and submitted false documents to various agencies and departments of the United States government which falsely stated that these aliens would work as seamen on ships.
Each individual in India who wanted to enter the United States paid approximately $15,000 to Dhaliwal's co-conspirators in India to obtain and use these falsely obtained documents and others to obtain visas to enter and work in the U.S. Dhaliwal was paid from $60,000 to $70,000 for his part in this scheme.
At least 79 individuals in India applied for these Visas. Of the 79 applicants, 49 were refused, 30 visas were issued, and 27 aliens entered the U.S. and disappeared. When questioned by Department of State Diplomatic Security Service Special Agents first in Monroe and then in India about his activities, Dhaliwal made additional false statements in an attempt to conceal his part in this crime and obstruct the investigation.
United States Attorney Finley said, "There is a lawful process for foreign workers to obtain visas to enter the country and work in the United States. Every effort is made to detect, investigate and prosecute those who violate the laws of the United States and encourage aliens to unlawfully obtain visas to illegally enter the United States. Mr. Dhaliwal's sole reason for committing this crime was in order to make money. He had no concern for the law or the impact that such activity has on those who desire to enter this country legally. His greed is the reason why he will now spend the next two years in prison."
The case was investigated by the United States Department of State Diplomatic Security Service. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert W. Gillespie, Jr.
