HARTFORD, CT — Mohamed Najm Kamash, a 33-year-old New Haven resident, admitted to making a false statement during a naturalization proceeding, according to a plea entered before U.S. District Judge Omar A. Williams. Kamash, also known under the full name Mohamed Najm Mohamed Ali Kamash, is facing up to five years in prison following his guilty plea.
The charge stems from an August 17, 2021, interview with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), where Kamash, under oath, denied knowing any individuals or family members involved with a terrorist organization. These statements were later determined to be false, leading to his guilty plea.
Kamash, a lawful permanent resident who immigrated to the U.S. from Iraq in 2014, was arrested on May 5, 2022, and has since been released on a $250,000 bond pending sentencing. The case highlights the rigorous checks and balances within the U.S. immigration system, aimed at preventing individuals from providing false information during the naturalization process.