A New Jersey staffing company executive is among 17 naturalized U.S. citizens targeted in a sweeping Justice Department crackdown on individuals accused of obtaining citizenship through fraud, concealment, or criminal conduct.
The U.S. Department of Justice announced Monday that it has filed denaturalization lawsuits against 17 naturalized citizens accused of hiding serious crimes, lying to immigration officials, or otherwise fraudulently obtaining American citizenship. The cases involve allegations ranging from child sexual abuse and healthcare fraud to visa fraud, money laundering, securities fraud, and drug trafficking.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the administration is taking an aggressive approach toward individuals who allegedly abused the naturalization process.
“When criminal aliens exploit the naturalization process by breaking the law, there are consequences,” Blanche said. “Criminal aliens are lying about their past crimes, including drug dealers, sexual predators, and fraudsters.”
Blanche added that obtaining U.S. citizenship is “a privilege” and vowed continued enforcement efforts.
Key Points
• New Jersey executive accused of filing fraudulent H-1B visa petitions faces denaturalization
• Several cases involve child sexual abuse concealed during naturalization proceedings
• DOJ alleges defendants lied under oath or hid criminal conduct while seeking citizenship
New Jersey executive accused of fraudulent visa scheme
Among those named is Neeraj Sharma, 50, a native of India and former owner and CEO of Magnavision LLC, a New Jersey staffing company.
According to the Justice Department, Sharma signed and submitted 11 fraudulent H-1B visa petitions containing false claims that workers would be employed by a major global financial institution. Prosecutors allege the applications included forged executive signatures and fabricated employment documentation.
Federal authorities say Sharma later falsely stated during his naturalization application that he had never committed crimes, provided false information to government officials, or lied to obtain immigration benefits. He was later convicted of visa fraud tied to conduct occurring before he became a citizen.
The government argues Sharma should never have been naturalized because the fraud occurred during the period in which he was required to demonstrate “good moral character.”
Child sex abuse cases among most serious allegations
Several of the lawsuits involve allegations that defendants concealed sexual abuse of minors while seeking U.S. citizenship.
Jean Claude Alfred, 68, a native of Haiti, allegedly began sexually abusing his minor daughter approximately one month before filing his naturalization application. According to the DOJ, the abuse continued while his citizenship application was pending. Alfred allegedly swore under oath that he had not committed crimes for which he had not been arrested. He was later convicted by a Florida jury of attempted sexual battery and lewd assault involving a child.
Tahir Lekaj, 43, a native of the former Yugoslavia, is accused of falsely telling immigration officials he had never committed crimes despite allegedly sexually abusing a child beginning in 2003. Connecticut later convicted him of sexually abusing a child under 15. Evidence presented at trial indicated the victim was only 10 years old when the abuse began.
Armando Mendoza, 39, of Mexico, allegedly began receiving sexually explicit images of minors before applying for citizenship. Prosecutors say he denied committing any crimes during his naturalization interview before later pleading guilty to receiving child sexual abuse material.
Jheromell Obejera Arcilla, 39, of the Philippines, is accused of sexually abusing a 15-year-old relative before becoming a citizen. Prosecutors say the abuse continued during the naturalization process and that he later pleaded guilty to sex abuse of a minor in Maryland.
Priest accused of hiding abuse
One of the highest-profile cases involves Fernando Cristancho, 69, a Colombian-born Roman Catholic priest.
According to the DOJ, Cristancho used his position in the church to groom and sexually abuse a parishioner between the ages of 11 and 13. Prosecutors say he later admitted the abuse and acknowledged inappropriate conduct involving other minors before pleading guilty to federal coercion and enticement charges. He is currently serving a 22-year prison sentence.
The government alleges Cristancho concealed those crimes while pursuing citizenship.
Massive fraud schemes also targeted
Several defendants allegedly concealed multimillion-dollar fraud operations.
Leidys Delmas Garcia, 54, a Cuban national, admitted participating in a healthcare fraud conspiracy involving approximately 30 physical therapy clinics that allegedly billed Blue Cross Blue Shield more than $36.7 million for services that were either medically unnecessary or never provided. The DOJ says she denied committing crimes when applying for citizenship.
Talman Harris, 49, of Jamaica, allegedly participated in an eight-year stock manipulation scheme that prosecutors say caused more than $39 million in investor losses. The alleged conduct occurred during the period when Harris was seeking citizenship. He was later convicted of wire fraud and securities fraud-related offenses.
Andrea Marroquin, 44, of Colombia, allegedly concealed both a bigamous marriage and a money laundering conspiracy involving funds inherited from her drug-trafficker father. The DOJ says she used the proceeds to finance fraudulent real estate transactions in Miami before becoming a citizen in 2009.
Immigration fraud and identity deception
Other cases involve defendants accused of obtaining citizenship through false identities and immigration deception.
Maria Lourdes Montoya, 63, allegedly claimed to be married to a U.S. citizen named Gilberto Montoya in order to obtain immigration benefits. According to the DOJ, the real Gilberto Montoya had died decades earlier, and Montoya instead remained married to a Mexican national who had assumed the deceased man’s identity.
Abdikadir Ali Kadiye allegedly applied for immigration benefits under two separate identities, while Victor San Shing Kwok allegedly concealed a prior immigration denial and removal order when applying for permanent residency and citizenship.
Louise Hunkporti is accused of adopting an entirely new identity after an earlier immigration application was denied. The alleged deception was later uncovered through fingerprint records after federal authorities digitized older immigration files.
Administration signals more cases ahead
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said the administration intends to continue pursuing denaturalization actions.
“American citizenship is a privilege, and it must be earned honestly,” Mullin said. “If you come here, break our laws, and lie in your immigration proceedings, you forfeit that privilege.”
Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate issued a similar warning.
“We will not turn a blind eye to those who unlawfully obtained U.S. citizenship,” Shumate said. “Anyone thinking they can defraud the naturalization process should think again.”
The lawsuits seek to revoke citizenship and cancel the defendants’ naturalization certificates. If successful, many could ultimately face deportation proceedings.