Immigration Officer Faces 10 Years in Prison for Immigration Fraud : immigration

From press launch

SANTA ANA, California – An immigration providers officer with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Companies was arrested this morning in Maryland on a federal cost that alleges he obtained U.S. citizenship underneath a false title.

The defendant is charged underneath the false title of “Karl Nwabugwu Odike Ifemembi,” however the felony criticism on this case notes that his actual title is Modestus Nwagubwu Ifemembi, initially of Nigeria. Ifemembi, 48, who beforehand resided in Aliso Viejo, however relocated to Rockville, Maryland, final yr, has labored for USCIS for seven years. Ifemembi is charged within the criticism with one rely of unlawfully procuring U.S. citizenship.

Ifemembi made false statements on numerous authorities types to acquire U.S. citizenship, in addition to employment with USCIS, in accordance with the affidavit in help of the criticism, which was unsealed this morning.

Ifemembi first entered america in 2000 when he flew from France to Chicago with a British passport that had been issued to a different individual however had been altered to show Ifemembi’s {photograph}, in accordance with the affidavit. Whereas immigration officers in Chicago caught Ifemembi – who admitted his fraudulent use of the U.Ok. passport, the affidavit states – he finally was granted asylum after falsely claiming his actual title was “Karlos Mourfy” and that he was a local of Sierra Leone.

After being granted asylum, Ifemembi attended the College of California, Berkeley, which granted him a bachelor’s diploma in 2004, after which obtained J.D. from the College of Oregon, College of Legislation. Then, in late 2010, “Karlos Mourfy” utilized for U.S. citizenship and requested to vary his title to Ifemembi – requests that have been granted in Might 2011. Two years later, in 2013, Ifemembi was employed by USCIS, in accordance with the affidavit. Through the investigation into Ifemembi, federal investigators traveled to Africa – together with his hometown of Akuma, Nigeria – and searched his Orange County residence in 2019, acquiring proof about his true identification, together with baptism, college and monetary data, the affidavit states.

Ifemembi is scheduled to make his preliminary look this afternoon in United States District Court docket in Greenbelt, Maryland.

A felony criticism accommodates allegations {that a} defendant has dedicated against the law. Each defendant is presumed harmless till and except confirmed responsible past an inexpensive doubt.

The cost of illegal procurement of citizenship or naturalization carries a statutory most penalty of 10 years in federal jail, and upon conviction, U.S. citizenship is mechanically revoked.

The investigation into Ifemembi is being performed by america Division of Homeland Safety – Workplace of Inspector Common, United States Citizenship and Immigration Companies – Workplace of Investigations, and america Division of State, Diplomatic Safety Service (DSS).

This matter is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Lawyer Charles E. Pell of the Santa Ana Department Workplace.

So watch out on the market. Simply since you went to school right here, received a legislation diploma right here, received naturalized and labored for the federal authorities for 7 years DOES NOT MEAN that the identical federal authorities will not journey to Africa to get info on you to place you in jail for 10 years for one thing you probably did in 2000.