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The Times of India
The Times of India
World
TOI World Desk

Indian-origin man may lose US citizenship for hiding past deportation order, identity fraud

The US government has filed a civil denaturalisation case seeking to revoke the citizenship of an Indian-origin man, alleging he obtained naturalisation using a false identity.

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The US Attorney’s Office for the District of Kansas filed the civil denaturalisation action against Harinder Singh, also known as Harinder Singh Sanghera and Rushpal Singh, on August 7, 2026.

The government alleges that Singh concealed important details about his previous immigration history and provided false information when applying for immigration benefits and later for US citizenship.

Earlier immigration case under another name

According to the lawsuit, US immigration authorities first encountered Singh at JFK International Airport in 1991, when he identified himself as Rushpal Singh.

An immigration judge ordered him deported in August 1995, and the decision was later upheld by the Board of Immigration Appeals.

The government said it has no record showing that Singh left the US under that deportation order.

The following year, Singh applied for an immigration benefit under the name Harinder Singh.

Authorities allege that he also provided a different date of birth, date of entry into the US and a different factual basis for his immigration claim.

The application was approved.

Citizenship granted in 2008

In October 2000, Singh was granted lawful permanent resident status using the identity of Harinder Singh.

Eight years later, he became a US citizen under the same identity.

The government alleges that he did not disclose his earlier immigration history or the use of another name when applying for naturalisation.

The latest civil case seeks to cancel his certificate of naturalisation and revoke the order that granted him US citizenship.

What denaturalisation means

Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, US citizenship obtained through an unlawful process, concealment of a material fact or deliberate misrepresentation can be revoked.

The government must establish its case through the civil court process.

The Justice Department said it has filed about 123 civil denaturalisation complaints since January 20, 2025, the highest number in recorded history.

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