Marvin Mushia Smith, Visa Fraud, Florida 2018

Orlando, Florida – Marvin Mushia Smith, a 41-year-old man, was sentenced to 10 months in prison for visa fraud.

U.S. District Judge Carlos E. Mendoza handed down the sentence on an unspecified date, after Smith pleaded guilty on August 14, 2018.

According to court documents, in April 2017, members of Orlando's Homeland Security +Investigation's (HSI) Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force (DBFTF) identified numerous requests for abnormal numbers of alleged 'required' foreign temporary nonagricultural workers, called 'H-2B' visas.

The task force linked all of these requests to Smith, a naturalized U.S. citizen, originally from Jamaica.

Further investigation revealed that from at least as early as December 16, 2014, through March 15, 2018, Smith filed fraudulent labor certification packages and fraudulent immigration petitions with the Department of Labor (DOL) and/or U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), which resulted in the admission of more than 300 nonimmigrants (H-2Bs), all from Jamaica.

The H-2B non-agricultural temporary worker program allows U.S. employers to bring foreign nationals to the United States to fill temporary non-agricultural jobs.

'Foreign worker visa fraud can have serious national security, public safety, and economic consequences,' said HSI Orlando Assistant Special Agent in Charge David J. Pezzutti.

'This case represents the importance of the HSI Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force's continuing commitment toward protecting the integrity of the immigration system and preserving jobs for U.S. citizens and others lawfully authorized to work.'

Smith, a naturalized U.S. citizen, was charged with visa fraud.

Defendant: Marvin Mushia Smith

Criminal Charges: Visa fraud

City and State: Orlando, Florida

Exact Date: August 14, 2018 (plea date)

Sentence or Outcome: 10 months in prison

Dollar Amounts: None

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/orlando-man-sentenced-filing-fraudulent-immigration-documents-resulted-more-300