Armed robbers were planning robberies at numerous establishments throughout Chicago, committing a heist that will undoubtedly rank among the most inventive crime sprees in the city’s history. The “thieves” would only make a little profit. However, the “thieves” had also received thousands of dollars from the “victims,” who were illegal aliens inside the business, to rob them.

A U-visa immigration status is only available to “victims of certain crimes who have experienced mental or physical abuse and are useful to law enforcement or government authorities in an investigation or prosecution,” according to federal officials. The armed robbery provided illegal immigrants with an opportunity to apply for this status.

The fictitious thieves’ operation was incredibly complex. They made use of stolen automobiles and pilfered license plates. They also kept a backup getaway vehicle ready.

There is evidence that hundreds of illegal immigrants in Chicago participated in this operation, and there may have been further instances of its use in other cities.

CWB Chicago:

“When they apprehended one of the fictitious heist squads, the cops finally got lucky. Nearly none of the members had a history of committing significant crimes, and all were still in their adolescent years. They also told the police that the victims had been involved in the robberies, but they had no idea why. Federal prosecutors claim that each alleged “victim” paid “thousands of dollars” for their robbery at gunpoint. This information was disclosed on Friday. Then, ringleaders instructed the “victims” to appear at a specified place at a specific time for the “robbery.” In the end, according to two sources, state prosecutors either opted not to press charges against the “robbers” or dropped them. “Was it truly robbery after all, since the victim requested it?”

In an attempt to give the heist a more realistic feel, the pretend thieves would occasionally strike the “victim.”

During one operation, the imposters targeted a Bucktown booze store. Around 9:30 p.m., the thieves broke into the business as five “clients” awaited their “robbery”. However, one of the robbers’ weapons malfunctioned and struck the shopkeeper in the belly, seriously wounding him.

After the clerk managed to survive, the five illegal immigrants proceeded to the district police stations to pick up their documents to present to immigration officials.

Eventually, the plan failed, leading to the dismantling of the ring.

After word spread that a similar “robbery” occurred in Houston, there is a chance that a national network of impostor thieves is involved in the same fraud.

The New York Post recently detailed a fictitious robbery at a Houston gas station in January, where a witness shot and killed the “robber”—a case seemingly unconnected to the men indicted on Friday. According to the Post, Rasshauud Scott, 22, approached a couple at the gas station and seemed to be robbing them of their wallet and pocketbook. As he fled, a passerby murdered him. The publication revealed that police, upon identifying a “pattern” of reported robberies, found that the victims had applied for or received U-visas due to their victim status.

How many illegal aliens used the system in this way to gain legal status and reside in the United States? We’ll never be aware of it. However, until the federal government takes action against visa fraud, it will continue to occur elsewhere.

Author: Scott Dowdy