Mercer County Couple Admit to Conspiring in Asylum Fraud Scheme

Posted by
1 min read
September 1, 2024

TRENTON, N.J. — A Mercer County couple pleaded guilty today in federal court to conspiring to submit fraudulent asylum applications, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.

Zuwairul Ameer, 61, also known as “Zuwairul Thowfeek,” and Claudette Ameer, 63, also known as “Claudette Pieries,” both of Lawrence Township, New Jersey, admitted their roles in the conspiracy before U.S. District Judge Michael Shipp in Trenton. The couple pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit immigration fraud.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Zuwairul Ameer has been involved in the business of preparing fraudulent asylum applications for non-citizen clients since at least 2007. His wife, Claudette Ameer, managed the business by serving as the primary point of contact, arranging client meetings, and submitting completed applications to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

To qualify for asylum in the United States, applicants must demonstrate they have suffered persecution in their country of origin or have a well-founded fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. As part of the scheme, Zuwairul Ameer met with clients, exaggerated their stories of mistreatment, and prepared fraudulent asylum applications that either falsely omitted his name as the preparer or contained exaggerated claims.

The conspiracy charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense, whichever is greater. Sentencing for the couple is scheduled for February 25, 2025.

The case was investigated by special agents from the FBI’s New York Field Office, under the direction of Assistant Director in Charge James Smith, along with immigration officers from the USCIS Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate at the New York Asylum Office, led by Director Mathew Varghese. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron L. Webman of the Economic Crimes Unit in Newark.

Phil Stilton

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.

Facebook

Don't Miss