A 62-year-old Indian-American man is facing denaturalization proceedings in the United States after authorities alleged that he concealed his involvement in a USD 2.5 million investor fraud scheme while applying for US citizenship.
According to the US Department of Justice, Debashis Ghosh, whose last known residence was in Cook County, Illinois, entered the US on multiple non-immigrant visas starting in 1991 and became a naturalized US citizen in 2012.
The Justice Department said Ghosh is among 12 individuals against whom denaturalization actions have been filed in various US district courts. The cases involve allegations ranging from fraud and war crimes to support for terrorist groups and sexual abuse of minors.
Allegations linked to aircraft facility project
Federal authorities alleged that before becoming a US citizen, Ghosh conspired to defraud investors of USD 2.5 million that was meant for the construction of an aircraft maintenance facility.
The department said Ghosh continued the alleged fraud scheme even after obtaining citizenship by misrepresenting the location and safekeeping of investor funds.
According to the complaint, Ghosh stated during his 2012 naturalization application and interview that he had never committed a crime for which he had been arrested.
The complaint alleged that during the period when he was required to demonstrate good moral character for citizenship eligibility, Ghosh committed crimes involving moral turpitude, engaged in unlawful acts that reflected adversely on his moral character, and falsely testified about the offences.
Authorities also alleged that Ghosh willfully misrepresented material facts related to the alleged crime during the naturalization process.
Under the US Immigration and Nationality Act, authorities can revoke the citizenship of a naturalized citizen if it was obtained illegally or through concealment of material facts or willful misrepresentation.
“Individuals implicated in committing fraud, heinous crimes such as sexual abuse, or expressing support for terrorism should never have been naturalized as United States citizens,” Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said.
“The Trump administration is taking action to correct these egregious violations of our immigration system. Those who intentionally concealed their criminal histories or misrepresented themselves during the naturalization process will face the fullest extent of the law,” he added.
Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate said the department continues to file denaturalization actions “at record speeds” to maintain integrity in the citizenship process.
“The disturbing criminal histories confirm these individuals should have never received the privilege of US citizenship. We remain committed to leveraging every tool available under the law to pursue those who obtain their US citizenship unlawfully,” Shumate said.
(With PTI inputs)
