US authorities accuse New Jersey businessman Neeraj Sharma of using fraudulent visa applications and withholding information during his citizenship process
An Indian-origin businessman in the United States is facing possible loss of his American citizenship after federal authorities accused him of involvement in an H-1B visa fraud scheme.
Neeraj Sharma, a 50-year-old naturalised US citizen and former chief executive of New Jersey-based staffing company Magnavision LLC, is among 17 naturalised citizens targeted in denaturalisation proceedings announced by the US Department of Justice (DOJ).
The DOJ alleges that Sharma’s company submitted 11 fraudulent H-1B petitions for foreign workers. Authorities claim the applications falsely stated that the workers would be employed by a major financial institution and included forged signatures and supporting documents.
The allegations date back to the period before Sharma became a US citizen in 2017. According to federal authorities, he made statements during his naturalisation process denying that he had committed offences, provided false information to the US government or obtained immigration benefits through deception. The government now argues that the alleged misconduct is relevant to whether his citizenship was lawfully obtained.
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The case is part of a wider US government drive targeting naturalised citizens accused of obtaining citizenship through fraud, concealment or misrepresentation
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The 17 cases involve allegations ranging from immigration and financial fraud to other serious offences
Denaturalisation is a legal process and citizenship is not automatically revoked following an allegation. Sharma’s case will have to proceed through the courts, where the government’s claims can be challenged.
The case highlights the potential long-term immigration consequences of alleged fraud in visa applications, including for individuals who later obtain permanent residence or US citizenship.
