The U.S. Department of Justice has launched legal proceedings to revoke the citizenship of 17 naturalized Americans accused of obtaining citizenship unlawfully by concealing criminal conduct, using false identities, or providing false information during the immigration and naturalization process.
The cases, announced by the Justice Department, span individuals from Cuba, Haiti, Colombia, Mexico, Jamaica, Somalia, China, the Dominican Republic, India, the Philippines, Trinidad and Tobago, the former Yugoslavia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Federal officials say the actions are part of a broader effort to protect the integrity of the U.S. naturalization system.
"Naturalized citizenship can be revoked if it was illegally obtained or secured through concealment, willful misrepresentation, or fraud," the Justice Department said in announcing the complaints.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the department maintains "zero tolerance" for abuse of the naturalization process.
"Individuals who fraudulently obtain American citizenship undermine the integrity of our immigration system and the value of citizenship itself," Blanche said.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Troy Edgar Mullin echoed that message, stating that "American citizenship is a privilege, and it must be earned honestly."
Among the highest-profile cases is that of Leidys Delmas Garcia, a 54-year-old Cuban national convicted in a health care fraud conspiracy involving approximately $36.7 million in fraudulent Medicare billing. Federal authorities allege Garcia concealed information that would have affected her eligibility for naturalization.
Several cases involve allegations of sexual abuse offenses that prosecutors say were hidden from immigration officials. Jean Claude Alfred, 68, originally from Haiti, was convicted after authorities said he concealed sexual abuse of a minor during the naturalization process. Tahir Lekaj, 43, a native of the former Yugoslavia, was convicted of sexually abusing a child under 15, conduct prosecutors say began before he became a U.S. citizen.
Fernando Cristancho, 69, a former Colombian priest, was sentenced to 22 years in prison after admitting to sexually abusing a minor. The Justice Department alleges he failed to disclose the conduct when seeking U.S. citizenship.
Other defendants are accused of immigration-related fraud. Maria Lourdes Montoya, 63, of Mexico, allegedly used her husband's false claim to U.S. citizenship to secure lawful permanent residence and later citizenship. Louise Hunkporti, 64, originally from Congo, allegedly adopted a new identity after a prior immigration denial and subsequently naturalized under that identity.
The government also filed denaturalization complaints against Victor San Shing Kwok, 50, originally from China, who is accused of concealing a prior immigration denial and removal order, and Abdikadir Ali Kadiye, 54, of Somalia, who allegedly used two separate identities while seeking immigration benefits.
Several cases involve financial crimes. Talman Harris, 49, from Jamaica, was convicted in a securities and wire fraud scheme that caused millions of dollars in losses to investors. Andrea Marroquin, 44, of Colombia, is accused of concealing fraud and money laundering activities connected to real estate transactions. Neeraj Sharma, 50, of India, was convicted of visa fraud involving fraudulent H-1B petitions submitted through his staffing company.
Federal prosecutors are also targeting individuals linked to drug distribution and other criminal conspiracies. Federico Michel Fermin, 54, from the Dominican Republic, was convicted in a prescription drug distribution conspiracy involving more than $1.7 million. Rodger George Gurdon, 55, of Jamaica, pleaded guilty in conspiracies involving stolen medical products and marijuana distribution.
The list also includes Armando Mendoza, 39, of Mexico, who pleaded guilty after authorities said he concealed his receipt of sexually explicit images of minors; Ronnie Price, 40, of Trinidad and Tobago, who pleaded guilty to a statutory rape offense that prosecutors say occurred before he naturalized; and Jheromell Obejera Arcilla, 39, of the Philippines, who pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a minor and is accused of lying during the naturalization process.
Milagros Marileisis Acosta Torres, 40, of Cuba, is accused of concealing her alleged role in a casino fraud and money laundering operation.
Denaturalization cases are filed in federal court and can result in the loss of U.S. citizenship if the government proves that citizenship was obtained illegally or through fraud. Individuals who lose citizenship may also face removal proceedings depending on their immigration status and criminal history.
The Justice Department emphasized that the allegations contained in the complaints remain unproven and that there has been no determination of liability in the pending civil cases.
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