The US District Court for the Eastern District of New York has officially revoked the naturalization of Gurmeet Singh, an India-born individual who was previously convicted of serious criminal offenses. The Department of Justice announced on Monday that the court’s August 26 judgment mandates that Singh surrender his citizenship, which officials stated was obtained unlawfully by concealing violent acts.
US Attorney General Todd Blanche emphasized that the legal system will not allow citizenship to serve as a shield for those who commit crimes. He stated that Singh had deliberately hidden a history of rape and kidnapping during his naturalization proceedings, and that the court’s recent ruling serves as a necessary correction to that fraud.
According to federal records, Singh initially entered the United States in February 1992 as a visitor and remained in the country without authorization for several years. He eventually secured permanent resident status in June 2000 through a family-based immigrant visa petition. By October 19, 2011, he had successfully completed the naturalization process to become a US citizen.
The Justice Department detailed the specific circumstances of the crimes Singh concealed. In May 2011, just weeks before his naturalization application was filed, Singh was working as a taxicab driver. During a ride, he allegedly threatened a female passenger with a knife, bound and gagged her, and committed a violent sexual assault. The victim managed to escape the vehicle at dawn and sought assistance from bystanders.
Following his naturalization, Singh was prosecuted in New York, where he was convicted of first-degree rape and second-degree kidnapping as a sexually motivated felony. He was subsequently sentenced to 20 years in prison for these crimes.
Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division stated that Singh had exploited the privileges of citizenship by hiding his criminal record. He affirmed that the department remains committed to protecting the integrity of the immigration system and holding accountable those who attempt to defraud it.
US Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. for the Eastern District of New York added that the court’s decision sends a clear message to individuals who attempt to acquire legal status through deceit. He noted that the administration is resolved to pursue denaturalization proceedings in all cases where evidence supports such action under the law.
The government’s denaturalization complaint against Singh was formally filed on February 2. The case was handled by Trial Attorney Christopher Lyerla of the Civil Division’s Office of Immigration Litigation, alongside Assistant US Attorney Layaliza Soloveichik for the Eastern District of New York.
This legal action highlights the ongoing federal efforts to review and revoke statuses obtained through fraudulent means, particularly when serious criminal conduct is involved. The Department of Justice continues to prioritize the removal of citizenship from individuals who have bypassed legal requirements through the concealment of violent offenses. The report also notes that the Department of Justice on Monday (local time) said that the court’s August 26 judgment requires Singh to surrender his US citizenship, which the Justice Department said was obta, sharing the details in a press release. The report also notes that uS sex offender on the run arrested in the Philippines. The report also notes that afterwards, the victim escaped from the cab and ran to someone in the streets at dawn for help. The report also notes that man dies the next day, acquitted after 30 years in jail. The report also notes that 100,000 visas revoked in the US: State Department. The report also notes that over 2,790 Indian nationals deported from US this year. The report also notes that alcaraz returns to action in partnership with Williams.
Source: Gulf News
