ICE seeks nearly $500K fine against immigration lawyer accused of filing fake asylum claims
EXCLUSIVE – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is seeking more than $470,000 in civil fines against a New York immigration attorney accused of filing fraudulent documents in support of asylum claims on behalf of dozens of clients, alleging he submitted more than 100 documents containing nearly identical accounts of persecution.
Homeland Security Investigations announced it had issued a notice of intent to fine attorney Suraj Raj Singh, whose nationwide practice primarily represents Indian nationals seeking asylum before immigration courts, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
ICE alleges Singh prepared and filed 118 fraudulent documents in 54 immigration cases.
The agency is seeking the maximum permissible fine — $470,584.
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According to DHS, asylum declarations submitted in support of Singh's clients' applications were "identical or nearly identical in language and substance," containing the same or substantially similar factual narratives and supporting details describing alleged persecution.
"Fraudulent asylum claims threaten the safety of the American people, undermine our immigration system and delay the removal of dangerous criminal illegal aliens," DHS General Counsel James Percival said.
"ICE is seeking a fine of more than $470,000 from attorney Suraj Raj Singh. Under President Trump and Secretary Mullin, we will hold attorneys like this accountable and put an end to the practice of defrauding and abusing our immigration system."
A notice of intent to fine is a proposed civil enforcement action that allows the recipient an opportunity to respond before any penalty becomes final.
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The action is the latest step in the Trump administration's effort to crack down on alleged asylum fraud. In May, Percival directed DHS attorneys to pursue additional enforcement actions targeting fraudulent asylum claims.
DHS said the Singh case marks the second time the department has sought civil penalties against an immigration attorney under 8 U.S.C. § 1324c(d), which authorizes fines for immigration-related document fraud.
Last month, ICE issued five notices of intent to fine against attorney Vinod Doddamani, seeking a combined $255,232 in civil penalties over alleged immigration document fraud.
Fox News Digital has reached out to Singh for comment.
