The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is seeking more than $470,000 in civil fines against a New York immigration attorney accused of filing fraudulent documents in support of asylum claims on behalf of dozens of clients. The agency alleges that the attorney submitted more than 100 documents containing nearly identical accounts of persecution.
The attorney, whose nationwide practice primarily represents Indian nationals seeking asylum before immigration courts, is accused of preparing and filing 118 fraudulent documents across 54 immigration cases. ICE is seeking the maximum permissible fine of $470,584.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, asylum declarations submitted in support of the attorney's clients' applications were "identical or nearly identical in language and substance." The declarations contained the same or substantially similar factual narratives and supporting details describing alleged persecution.
The agency claims that fraudulent asylum claims threaten the safety of the American people, undermine the immigration system, and delay the removal of dangerous criminal illegal aliens. The action is the latest step in the effort to crack down on alleged asylum fraud.
A Notice of Intent to Fine is a proposed civil enforcement action that allows the recipient an opportunity to respond before any penalty becomes final. This is the second time the Department of Homeland Security has sought civil penalties against an immigration attorney under 8 U.S.C. § 1324c(d), which authorizes fines for immigration-related document fraud.
ICE has issued similar actions against other attorneys in the past. In May, the agency directed enforcement actions targeting fraudulent asylum claims. The action against the New York attorney marks the latest step in this effort to hold individuals accountable for abusing the immigration system.
