- ICE seeks a civil fine of $470,584 against attorney Suraj Raj Singh for allegedly filing fraudulent documents in 54 asylum cases.
- ICE alleges that Singh filed identical or nearly identical declarations in 54 immigration cases containing the same factual narrative regarding claimed persecution.
- Last month, ICE sought a $250,000 fine against attorney Vinod Doddamani for similar allegations of filing fraudulent asylum documents.
- The Department of Homeland Security directed ICE in May to initiate enforcement actions against immigration attorneys for alleged document fraud.
- Fraudulent asylum claims are said to threaten the safety of the American people and undermine the immigration system.
- ICE's actions against Singh and Doddamani are part of a broader initiative to hold immigration attorneys accountable for fraud.
ICE is seeking a civil fine of $470,584 from Suraj Raj Singh, a New York immigration attorney, for allegedly filing 118 fraudulent asylum documents across 54 cases. The agency claims these documents contained identical or nearly identical narratives regarding persecution, raising concerns about immigration fraud.12
This action is part of a broader initiative by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to impose financial penalties on immigration lawyers suspected of document fraud. In May, DHS directed ICE to begin enforcement actions against attorneys, with Singh's case being the second instance of such penalties under 8 U.S.C. § 1324c(d).4
DHS General Counsel James Percival stated, “Fraudulent asylum claims threaten the safety of the American people, undermine our immigration system, and delay the removal of dangerous criminal illegal aliens.” This crackdown follows a similar case involving attorney Vinod Doddamani, who faces a potential $250,000 fine for filing identical declarations in 32 cases.35
ICE's actions reflect a significant shift in policy, as the agency intensifies its efforts to combat immigration fraud, which has been a focal point of the Trump administration's immigration strategy. The proposed penalty against Singh is the maximum allowed under the law, underscoring the seriousness of the allegations against him.
“ICE alleges that Suraj Raj Singh submitted 118 fraudulent documents across 54 immigration cases, with identical narratives of persecution. This case follows a directive from the Department of Homeland Security to initiate sanctions against immigration attorneys suspected of document fraud, marking a significant enforcement action.”
Межа. Новини України.
The American Bazaar
