Two Indian-origin men have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to H-1B visa fraud where they hired foreign nationals, promising them jobs at the University of California, while the university had no such requirements. Sampath Rajidi, 51, and Sreedhar Mada, 51 submitted H-1B visa petitions for many beneficiaries between June 2020 and January 2023. After these petitions were approved, the two gave these H-1Bs to other clients. Sampath Rajidi operated two visa servicing companies S-Team Software Inc. and Uptrend Technologies LLC. Mada's position as the Chief Information Officer of the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources helped the duo plan this fraud.
Mada had inside information about the university and had supervisory authority but he could not hire H-1B workers for his department without authorization from higher-ups. But as part of the conspiracy, Mada lent his name and position in the H-1B petitions that led USCIS to believe that they were indeed hiring for the university.
