Kansas Man Faces Denaturalization for False Identity Fraud
You took the oath, got your certificate, and became a U.S. citizen. But what if you used a different name to get there? A Kansas man is now fighting to keep his citizenship after the U.S. government says he hid a deportation order and changed his identity to obtain a green card — and then naturalized.
You filed your naturalization application, answered every question honestly, and finally took the oath. Now imagine losing that citizenship because of something you hid decades ago. That is exactly the situation Harinder Singh of Olathe, Kansas, now faces — and his case shows how far back the U.S. government can look.
On August 7, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a civil lawsuit in the District of Kansas to revoke Singh's U.S. citizenship. According to the complaint, Singh first entered the U.S. immigration system in 1991 at JFK International Airport under the name Rushpal Singh. An immigration judge ordered him deported in August 1995, but the government has no record that he ever left. In June 1996, Singh filed a new immigration benefit application — this time under the name Harinder Singh, with a different date of birth, a different date of entry, and a different factual basis for his claim. The Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) approved it. By October 2000, he had a green card. By 2008, he had naturalized as a U.S. citizen — all under the Harinder Singh identity, never disclosing the prior deportation order or the Rushpal Singh history.
US Citizenship Checklist — Free
Naturalization: from N-400 to the Oath
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Kansas announced the charges. USCIS supported the investigation. Under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) — the main federal law governing immigration and citizenship — naturalized citizenship can be revoked if it was obtained illegally or through willful concealment of a material fact. The government is asking the court to cancel Singh's certificate of naturalization. The claims in the complaint are allegations only; no court has yet found Singh liable.
Why this case matters for naturalized citizens
This case is a reminder that USCIS and the DOJ actively investigate naturalization fraud — and that there is no statute of limitations for denaturalization based on fraud or misrepresentation. Using a different name, hiding a prior deportation order, or changing biographical details on immigration forms can lead to citizenship being stripped years or even decades later. USCIS maintains records going back to the early 1990s and cross-references identities across applications.
What to do
- If you have ever used a different name, date of birth, or identity on any immigration form, speak with an immigration attorney before filing any new application or renewal — including Form N-400 (the application for U.S. citizenship).
- If you are in removal proceedings (the formal process where a judge decides whether you can stay in the U.S.) and you leave the U.S. without permission, that departure is recorded. Do not assume the government has no record of a prior order.
- If you receive any notice from USCIS or the DOJ questioning your naturalization, do not ignore it. Respond through a qualified immigration attorney immediately.
- To report suspected immigration benefit fraud, use the official USCIS Tip Form at uscis.gov.
What to do, step by step — see our guide “The Path to U.S. Citizenship”.
Fishkin Law Firm, New York
Under the INA, there is no time limit for the government to pursue denaturalization based on fraud or willful misrepresentation — even if citizenship was granted 20 years ago. If a client has any inconsistency in their immigration history across different applications, I advise them to disclose it proactively with the help of counsel rather than hope it goes unnoticed. Anyone who receives a USCIS or DOJ inquiry about their naturalization should treat it as urgent and retain an immigration attorney before responding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the U.S. government really take away citizenship that was granted years ago?
Yes. Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, the government can file a civil lawsuit to revoke naturalized citizenship if it was obtained illegally or through concealment of a material fact. There is no statute of limitations for fraud-based denaturalization.
What counts as 'willful misrepresentation' on a naturalization application?
Hiding a prior deportation order, using a different name or date of birth, or changing the factual basis of your immigration claim can all qualify. The key is whether the information was material — meaning it could have affected the government's decision — and whether you knew it was false.
If I made a mistake on an old immigration form, what should I do?
Do not file another application without speaking to an immigration attorney first. Lawyers in these situations typically recommend disclosing the error proactively and correcting the record before USCIS discovers it independently. Voluntary disclosure is generally treated more favorably than discovered fraud.
Does this case mean USCIS is checking old applications more aggressively?
USCIS has long had the authority to investigate naturalization fraud, and it cross-references identities across decades of records. This case shows that investigations can reach back to the early 1990s. If you have concerns about your own history, consult an immigration attorney before your next filing.