- The US District Court for the Eastern District of New York has revoked the naturalization of Indian-origin Gurmeet Singh, a convicted rapist who concealed a rape and kidnapping during the process of obtaining US citizenship, the US Department of Justice said on Monday.
- Singh was convicted in 2014 of first-degree rape and second-degree kidnapping and sentenced to 20 years in prison for the brutal sexual assault on a female passenger in May 2011.
- The Justice Department filed a complaint on February 2, leading to the court's order on August 26 requiring Singh to surrender his US citizenship.
- Singh concealed his criminal actions during his naturalization process, ultimately becoming a US citizen on October 19, 2011.
- Attorney General Todd Blanche stated that Singh's citizenship was revoked because he concealed a rape and kidnapping during the naturalization process.
- Singh first arrived in the United States in February 1992 as a temporary visitor with a six-month visa and remained in the country without legal authorization for several years.
- In May 2011, Singh, while working as a taxi driver, kidnapped and sexually assaulted a female passenger who had fallen asleep during the ride.
- The victim reported that when she awoke, Singh was brandishing a knife against her throat and threatened her life.
Gurmeet Singh, 55, a former taxi driver, had his U.S. citizenship revoked after a federal court ruling due to his conviction for a brutal sexual assault in 2011. Singh was found guilty of raping a female passenger at knifepoint, an act he concealed during his naturalization process.
In May 2011, just weeks before applying for citizenship, Singh picked up a passenger who fell asleep during the ride. Upon awakening, she found Singh on top of her, threatening her with a knife. He bound, gagged, and raped her before she managed to escape and seek help.8
The Justice Department stated that Singh had “concealed these actions” during his naturalization process, which allowed him to become a U.S. citizen on October 19, 2011. He was later convicted of first-degree rape and second-degree kidnapping, receiving a 20-year prison sentence.34
U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche emphasized that “American citizenship is not a shield for criminals,” and Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate noted that Singh “unlawfully obtained the privileges of U.S. citizenship by concealing horrible criminal acts.” The court's decision sends a strong message about the integrity of the citizenship process and the consequences of deceit.6
Singh's case highlights the U.S. government's commitment to pursuing denaturalization in cases where individuals have obtained citizenship through fraudulent means.
The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York entered an order on August 26 requiring Singh to surrender his US citizenship.
“Singh, now 55, was sentenced to 20 years for the 2011 attack, which he concealed when he became a citizen on Oct. 19, 2011. He is held at Shawangunk Correctional Facility and must surrender his passport and naturalization certificate by September 16.”
News18
