The U.S . Department of Justice filed a lawsuit to denaturalize an Argentinean who illegally obtained his U.S. citizenship by falsely claiming he was born in Cuba in order to benefit from the Refugee Adjustment Act for Cubans.
The lawsuit filed in federal court in Orlando, Florida, accuses Fernando Adrián Moio Bartolini, 50, of exploiting the U.S. immigration system by illegally obtaining the maximum immigration benefit granted in the United States.
Argentinean charged with immigration fraud
“The Department of Justice is committed to preserving the integrity of U.S. citizenship and will vigorously fight to achieve the skimming of fraudsters who lie to obtain immigration benefits,” Brett A. Shumate, a prosecutor in the Justice Department’s Civil Division, said in a statement.
The legal complaint alleges that in 2013 Moio Bartolini, a native of Argentina and resident of Windermere, Florida, was convicted of passport fraud.
During that criminal proceeding, the Argentine admitted that, after entering the United States on a visitor’s visa, he purchased a false Cuban birth certificate.
In addition, he obtained a false Cuban passport and applied for permanent residency in the United States under the Cuban Adjustment Act.
Claiming to be a native of the island, according to court documents.
Deportation for immigration fraud
After obtaining naturalization illegally, the Argentinean fraudulently obtained a U.S. passport, stating on his application that he was born in Cuba.
The fraud was discovered when Moio Bartolini attempted to enter the United States at Miami International Airport.
A Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agent recognized his Argentine accent and arrested him.
If convicted in this new lawsuit, the man could lose his citizenship.
In addition to being subject to deportation and facing further legal sanctions.
Experts say this case reflects how U.S. authorities are stepping up scrutiny of immigration fraud related to the misuse of special benefits for certain nationalities, reported EFE.
For more information, visit QuéOnnda.com.
