Park Ridge, IL — A lawyer from the suburban area of Park Ridge and a human resources coordinator in Buffalo Grove are now entangled in federal charges related to immigration fraud, allegedly involving visa application manipulations for workers from the Philippines.
Gerardo Dean, 58, a legal professional, and Felicitas Cordero, 76, who has been engaging in HR activities for a company managing skilled-nursing facilities in Illinois, are accused of collaborating to misinform the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. This purported scheme ensured that immigrant applicants appeared eligible for high-tier positions that, according to federal prosecutors, did not actually exist within the company.
The charges detail that Dean and Cordero exploited their professional roles to orchestrate fake job offers within the company, presenting foreign nationals as qualified for supervisory or other high-level roles. This ruse apparently was designed to enhance the success of visa applications submitted on behalf of these individuals.
Through these deceptive practices, both Dean and Cordero are said to have financially benefited. Dean reportedly received payments not only from the hopeful workers who were granted visas through fraudulent means but also from the very company he defended illegally.
The repercussions of these actions are severe, as both individuals face legal indictments including one count of conspiracy to commit immigration fraud, in addition to three separate counts of immigration fraud. If found guilty on all charges, each of -Dean and Cordero could serve up to five years in prison per count.
This case highlights a critical issue in the immigration process, shedding light on the vulnerabilities and potential for abuse within the system. Such schemes not only undermine the integrity of immigration policies and procedures but also unfairly disadvantage legitimate applicants and the companies that adhere to the law.
As this case continues to unravel, it serves as a potent reminder of the ongoing challenges facing immigration enforcement and the necessity for stringent oversight to prevent such fraudulent activities.
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