Under US immigration law, citizenship can be revoked if it was obtained through false statements or the concealment of significant information
An Indian-American man is facing legal action in the United States that could strip him of his American citizenship over allegations that he concealed his role in a multi-million-dollar fraud scheme while applying for naturalization, reported economictimes.indiatimes.com.
According to the US Department of Justice, 62-year-old Debashis Ghosh, formerly based in Cook County, Illinois, allegedly hid his involvement in a fraud linked to an aircraft maintenance facility project. Authorities claim investors lost around US $2.5 million in the scheme.
Ghosh first entered the US in 1991 on non-immigrant visas and later became a naturalised US citizen in 2012. Federal officials now allege that he provided false information during his citizenship application and interview by denying involvement in criminal activity.
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The complaint states that Ghosh continued the alleged fraud even after becoming a US citizen by misleading investors about the location and safety of their funds
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Prosecutors further claim he failed to meet the “good moral character” requirement needed for US citizenship and intentionally concealed important facts from immigration authorities
The Justice Department said Ghosh is among 12 individuals currently facing denaturalisation proceedings in different US courts. The cases involve accusations including fraud, war crimes, terrorism-related activities and sexual offences against minors.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said individuals involved in serious crimes or fraud should not have received US citizenship. Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate added that the department is pursuing such cases aggressively to protect the integrity of the naturalisation process.
