Feds Arrest LA Man In Immigration Fraud Scheme
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Federal authorities in Los Angeles have arrested a man on suspicion of scamming prospective Mexican immigrants and filing bogus paperwork for businesses seeking temporary work visas.
The U.S. attorney's office said Thursday that 29-year-old Carlos Alberto Silva was arrested at his Canoga Park business by immigration agents.
Prosecutors say Silva submitted fraudulent immigration petitions from legitimate businesses seeking visas for unskilled alien workers.
However, Silva allegedly asked for more visas than the companies had requested.
Prosecutors say Silva charged prospective Mexican immigrants up to $4,000 to seek work visas.
Silva was freed on $40,000 bond. Attorney Douglas McNabb says Silva would plead not guilty and would be challenging the government's account.
His arrest was announced in conjunction with the unveiling of a nationwide initiative to clamp down on immigration scams.
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