A shocking case of visa fraud has come to light in San Antonio, Texas, as Hassan Al-Homoud, a military official from Qatar, pleaded guilty to federal charges. His wife, Zainab Al-Hosani, a citizen of the United Arab Emirates, also pleaded guilty to misprision of a felony involving two domestic employees who were citizens of foreign countries.
According to court records, Al-Homoud, 46, and his wife, 39, brought two female workers to the U.S. in mid-2014. The housemaid, a citizen of Indonesia, and the servant, a citizen of Bangladesh, were sponsored by Al-Homoud for visas. However, the defendants allegedly falsified documents to secure the visas, leading to their indictment.
The workers’ circumstances were discovered by a San Antonio Police Department officer in early April 2015, when he encountered one of the workers in distress along Camp Bullis Rd. This led law enforcement officers to a nearby apartment occupied by the workers, which was furnished with only a pallet on the floor for sleeping.
Al-Homoud and his wife face up to 10 years in federal prison for their crimes. However, pursuant to their plea agreement, Al-Homoud will be placed on probation for five years, and his wife for three years, provided they satisfy the terms and conditions, including restitution to each of the victims.
The defendants remain on bond pending sentencing, which is scheduled for February 9, 2016, before United States District Judge Orlando Garcia in San Antonio. Following sentencing, both defendants will be immediately removed from the U.S.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in San Antonio. Assistant United States Attorney Bettina Richardson is prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.
The defendants’ actions have sparked outrage, highlighting the need for stricter regulations regarding visa sponsorships and the treatment of domestic workers.
In related news, the U.S. government has increased its efforts to combat visa fraud and protect the rights of foreign workers.
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Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Public Corruption|White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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