EXCLUSIVE – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is pursuing more than $470,000 in civil fines against a New York immigration attorney accused of submitting fraudulent asylum documents. The attorney, Suraj Raj Singh, is alleged to have filed over 100 documents with nearly identical accounts of persecution on behalf of his clients.
Details of the Allegations
Homeland Security Investigations announced the intent to fine Singh, who operates a nationwide practice primarily representing Indian nationals seeking asylum. ICE claims Singh prepared and filed 118 fraudulent documents across 54 immigration cases.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) noted that the asylum declarations in these cases contained identical or nearly identical narratives and details describing alleged persecution. This pattern of submission undermines the credibility of legitimate asylum claims.
“Fraudulent asylum claims threaten the safety of the American people, undermine our immigration system and delay the removal of dangerous criminal illegal aliens,” said DHS General Counsel James Percival.
Action Against Asylum Fraud
ICE is imposing a fine of $470,584 against Singh, marking a significant step under the Trump administration’s efforts to combat asylum fraud. A notice of intent to fine is a civil enforcement measure allowing the recipient to respond before the penalty is finalized.
DHS said the case against Singh is the second instance of seeking civil penalties against an immigration attorney under 8 U.S.C. § 1324c(d), which authorizes fines for immigration-related document fraud.
The effort to enforce penalties against fraudulent asylum practices aligns with directives from May, when Percival directed DHS attorneys to pursue additional enforcement measures concerning fraudulent asylum claims.
Previous and Ongoing Actions
Recently, ICE issued five notices of intent to fine attorney Vinod Doddamani, seeking combined civil penalties totaling $255,232 over similar allegations of immigration document fraud.
Fox News Digital has reached out to Singh for comment. The report is covered by Preston Mizell, a writer specialized in breaking news.
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