A federal investigation into immigration violations in the United States has exposed a web of unlawful employment, financial support and marriage fraud involving two men originally from Gujarat, culminating in convictions and prison sentences.
At the centre of the case is Rajesh Patel, 51, a businessman based in Ronceverte, West Virginia, who has been handed three years of federal probation along with a $10,000 fine.
According to media reports, prosecutors said Patel knowingly ignored US immigration and labour laws by employing an undocumented worker for nearly four years and actively helping him remain in the country.
The sentence was announced by federal authorities in Beckley on January 9 as part of a larger nationwide enforcement drive.
Media reports further said that the court filings show Patel employed Aakash Makwana, 30, a Gujarat native, at his Fairlea-based business from November 2020 through at least September 2024. Makwana had overstayed his visa, a fact Patel admitted he was fully aware of, yet the employment continued without interruption.
Investigators revealed that the relationship went far beyond that of employer and employee. Patel allegedly became a key support system for Makwana, providing daily transport due to his lack of a vehicle, paying for his accommodation, and supplying food.
To avoid detection, Makwana was paid in cash, and no payroll taxes were reported, effectively keeping his employment hidden from authorities.
The arrangement came under scrutiny only after Makwana was arrested in a separate federal probe into immigration fraud. On October 8, 2025, he was sentenced to two years in prison after admitting to aggravated identity theft. Federal officials said Makwana attempted to secure permanent residency by entering into a fraudulent marriage with a US citizen.
According to court records, the marriage was supported by forged documents and false claims, including a fabricated allegation of domestic violence aimed at strengthening Makwana’s green card application. The scheme unravelled during a federal investigation, leading to multiple convictions. Once he completes his prison term, Makwana is expected to be placed in deportation proceedings.
Patel also acknowledged in court that he was aware of the fake marriage arrangement and assisted in the conspiracy by making cash payments to others involved. His wife, Avani Patel, 44, has pleaded guilty to unlawfully employing an undocumented immigrant and is scheduled to be sentenced on January 13.
Others tied to the case have already faced punishment. Kaleo Ann Huff of Illinois, who married Makwana as part of the fraud, received five years of federal probation for perjury and marriage fraud. Her brother-in-law, Joseph Sanchez, who helped organise the arrangement, was also sentenced to five years of probation.
Federal agencies including Homeland Security Investigations and US Citizenship and Immigration Services conducted the probe under the Department of Justice’s “Operation Take Back America,” a programme targeting immigration-related offences across the country.
The case highlights a recurring pattern involving illegal migration from Gujarat to the United States. Over the years, US authorities have uncovered numerous instances of individuals overstaying visas, using forged identities or entering into sham marriages to regularise their status. Some migrants also undertake perilous journeys through multiple countries in Latin America, often paying exorbitant sums to human traffickers.
While Gujaratis form one of the most successful and law-abiding Indian diaspora communities in the US, law enforcement agencies say a growing number of fraud and immigration-related cases linked to illegal entry or overstays have triggered intensified monitoring. Officials warn that such violations not only carry severe legal consequences but also place migrants and their families at significant personal and financial risk.
Also Read: Two Gujaratis Residing In USA Charged In $653,000 Kenosha Gold Fraud https://www.vibesofindia.com/two-gujaratis-residing-in-usa-charged-in-653000-kenosha-gold-fraud/
