Two Texas residents have found themselves in legal trouble after being charged with visa fraud, money laundering, and RICO conspiracy. According to the US Attorney’s Office, Abdul Hadi Murshid, 39, and Muhammad Salman Nasir, 35, have been indicted by the Department of Justice for allegedly running a visa racket that defrauded the United States with the intent of assisting others in fraudulently obtaining entry and immigration status.
The plan allegedly used the EB-2, EB-3, and H-1B visa schemes. Defendants Murshid and Nasir, as well as connected organizations, are accused of intentionally posting bogus employment advertisements to meet Department of Labor regulations, allowing visa seekers to enter the country illegally. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Chad E. Meacham stated, “These defendants are charged with engaging in extensive measures to hide a massive, multi-year immigration fraud scheme through which they reaped substantial personal financial gain,” emphasizing the gravity of the allegations.
The indictment also alleges that the accused exploited the labor certification procedure. They allegedly filed fake visa petitions and quickly sought lawful permanent resident status for the ‘visa seekers’ to get green cards, all while receiving and funneling money in a way that made these non-existent jobs appear legitimate. R. Joseph Rothrock, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Dallas office, highlighted the violation, saying, “The FBI and our law enforcement partners will hold any individual accountable who misuses their position of trust for personal profit.”
Murshid and Nasir made their first court appearances on May 23, 2025, with federal prosecutors asking for their imprisonment. Their detention hearings are scheduled for May 30, 2025, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Brian McKay. If convicted, they face up to 20 years in federal prison; additionally, Murshid may face denaturalization if found guilty of improperly gaining US citizenship. While an indictment is only an allegation at this time, it has significant repercussions unless proven otherwise in court. As this case progresses, the legitimacy of the United States immigration system is precariously balanced on the scales of justice.
The inquiry is also being conducted by Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Department of State Diplomatic Security Service, and the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General. Ted Hocter, Tiffany H. Eggers, and Jongwoo Chung, assistant United States attorneys, are prosecuting the case.
