An Indian national, Swapnil Ramesh Tejale, has pleaded guilty to charges of fraud and misuse of visas, permits, and other documents in the United States District Court for the Western District of New York. U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced that Tejale, 34, was sentenced to time served and transferred to Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody.
According to Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Smith, Tejale did not have legal status in the United States. On July 10, 2025, he was found by U.S. Border Patrol Agents with a counterfeit Permanent Resident Card in his possession. The card contained Tejale’s biographical information and photograph but lacked required security features such as clear watermarks and proper background imaging.
Tejale admitted to authorities that the document was not genuine. Further immigration checks confirmed that he had never been issued a lawful Permanent Residence Card.
“This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime,” according to officials.
The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Border Patrol Niagara Falls Station under Patrol Agent in Charge Brady Waikal.
