The Justice Department alleges Narinder Singh used fraudulent identities to obtain US citizenship in 2008
The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has launched what it calls the largest coordinated denaturalisation effort in American history, seeking to revoke the citizenship of 25 naturalised Americans, including a 65-year-old Indian-origin man accused of obtaining US citizenship through fraud.
The civil complaints were filed in federal district courts across the United States between July 20 and August 3. According to the DOJ, the cases involve individuals accused of using fraud, hiding criminal histories, or making false statements during the naturalisation process.
Indian-origin man among those named
One of the complaints was filed against Narinder Singh in the US District Court for the District of Delaware.
According to court documents, Singh allegedly used two different fraudulent identities to enter the United States beginning in 1996. The Justice Department claims he concealed his true identity and made several false statements while applying for US citizenship.
Singh became a naturalised US citizen on May 1, 2008. However, the government now argues that he obtained citizenship unlawfully and has listed seven counts of alleged fraud and misrepresentation in its complaint.
The DOJ says these alleged actions mean Singh did not meet the “good moral character” requirement, one of the key conditions for becoming a US citizen.
More from World25 people from 17 countries targeted
The latest cases involve naturalised citizens from 17 countries, including India, Pakistan, Mexico, Colombia, Moldova, Nigeria and Jamaica.
According to the Justice Department, the complaints cover a range of alleged offences, including immigration fraud, identity theft and concealing serious criminal convictions before becoming US citizens.
The alleged crimes cited in the filings include attempted first-degree murder, assault with a deadly weapon, domestic violence, aggravated child sexual abuse, child exploitation, passport fraud, credit card fraud, identity theft and practising medicine without a licence.
DOJ calls citizenship a privilege
Announcing the action, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said US citizenship must be earned honestly.
“US citizenship is one of our nation’s highest privileges, and it must be obtained lawfully and honestly,” Blanche said in a statement. He added that the 25 new cases represent the largest coordinated denaturalisation effort in the department’s history and said more actions could follow.
Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate also said federal authorities are moving “at record speed” to identify people who allegedly deceived the government during the naturalisation process.
What happens next?
The latest filings bring the total number of denaturalisation cases initiated by the Justice Department to 123.
If federal courts rule in favour of the government, the individuals named in the complaints could lose their US citizenship, return to foreign national status and become subject to deportation proceedings.
