Emmanuel Priva, Visa Fraud, Louisiana 2019

Visa Fraud Scheme Exposed in Louisiana

In a shocking revelation, Emmanuel Priva, a 38-year-old Haitian national, pleaded guilty to running a visa fraud scheme that targeted over 100 aliens.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Priva admitted to conspiracy to commit visa fraud and two counts of visa fraud. The scheme was run from his home in Harvey, Louisiana, and other locations.

Priva would offer his services to Haitian nationals in exchange for money, promising to assist them in fraudulently obtaining visitor visas to travel to the United States. He would then submit online visa applications containing false information, create false documents, and coach the aliens on how to deceive consular officers during interviews.

The scheme was designed to make it appear that the Haitian nationals intended to temporarily visit, rather than illegally immigrate to the United States.

At sentencing, scheduled for October 3, 2019, Priva faces up to 10 years in prison for each visa fraud conviction and up to 5 years for the conspiracy conviction. He may also receive up to 3 years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.

U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser praised the work of the U.S. Department of State's Diplomatic Security Service, Criminal Fraud Investigations and Overseas Criminal Investigations Divisions, in jointly investigating this matter, with support from its New Orleans Resident Office.

Assistant United States Attorney Chandra Menon is in charge of the prosecution.

Priva's crimes highlight the importance of vigilance in the visa application process and the consequences of attempting to deceive the system.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edla/pr/haitian-national-pleads-guilty-running-visa-fraud-scheme-involving-more-100-fraudulent