I.C.E. News Release

February 17, 2009

Northern Virginia attorney found guilty in connection with a large-scale immigration fraud scheme


ALEXANDRIA, VA - A 50-year-old Northern Virginia attorney, Michael Mitry Hadeed, Jr., was found guilty of conspiracy to commit immigration fraud and making false statements arising out of his role in a large-scale immigration fraud scheme. This case is the result of an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

"ICE strives to protect the integrity of our immigration system from those who attempt to abuse it by detecting and dismantling these fraud schemes," said Acting ICE Special Agent in Charge Mark X. McGraw. "Disrupting these types of operations is crucial to stopping dangerous criminals and even potential terrorists from fraudulently entering the U.S. and obscuring their identities."

Hadeed was found guilty on February 13, 2009, by a federal jury in the Eastern District of Virginia. The defendant faces up to five years in prison on the conspiracy charge and five years on the false statement charge. He is scheduled to be sentenced on May 29, 2009, before the Honorable Leonie M. Brinkema.

The evidence at trial established that Hadeed, an attorney who practices law in Northern Virginia, conspired to commit immigration fraud and made false statements to a number of federal agencies, including the Department of Labor, the Department of State, and the Department of Homeland Security. Beginning in 1999 and continuing through at least May 2004, the defendant filed fraudulent employment-based immigration documents on behalf of foreign nationals and aliens already in the United States seeking work authorization and permanent residency in the United States.

The defendant used the King of Pita Bakery in Alexandria, Virginia, to sponsor foreign nationals and aliens for either no-show jobs or jobs for which they were employed but not qualified. To support these immigration documents, the defendant created documents making false claims about the aliens' work experience and offers of employment.

Other agencies involved in the investigation include Federal Bureau of Investigation, Office of the Inspector General, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, U.S. Department of State and the Fairfax County Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony Asuncion and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott B. Nussbum, prosecuted the case.

-- ICE --

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was established in March 2003 as the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security. ICE is comprised of five integrated divisions that form a 21st century law enforcement agency with broad responsibilities for a number of key homeland security priorities.

Last Modified: Tuesday, February 17, 2009
U.S. Department of Homeland Security

http://www.ice.gov/pi/nr/0902/090213alexandria.htm