US Targets 17 Naturalized Citizens for Denaturalization, Including Indian-American CEO Over H-1B Visa Fraud
The US Department of Justice announced legal action on June 8 against 17 naturalized US citizens, including Indian-American businessman Neeraj Sharma, seeking to revoke their citizenship over fraud allegations. Sharma, a former CEO of a New Jersey staffing firm, is accused of submitting fake H-1B visa applications with forged documents and making false statements during his 2017 naturalization process. The denaturalization effort targets individuals convicted of serious crimes including violent offenses, crimes against minors, and immigration fraud, marking what officials describe as one of the largest such drives in US history.
The Trump administration's Department of Justice announced a major denaturalization initiative targeting 17 naturalized US citizens accused of obtaining citizenship through fraud, false statements, or concealed information. Among those targeted is Neeraj Sharma, a 50-year-old Indian-origin businessman who served as CEO of Magnavision LLC, a New Jersey-based staffing firm. According to the Justice Department, Sharma submitted 11 fraudulent H-1B visa applications falsely claiming foreign workers would be placed at a major global financial institution, using forged executive signatures and fabricated documents. When applying for US citizenship in 2017, Sharma allegedly denied committing any offense and provided false information to authorities, leading to his naturalization in December 2017. He was subsequently convicted in a visa fraud case related to activities between 2015 and 2017. The broader denaturalization effort encompasses individuals convicted of violent crimes, offenses involving minors, drug trafficking, wire fraud, and immigration violations, representing what officials characterize as one of the largest denaturalization drives in US history.
What different sources said
- NDTVCenter
Indian-American CEO Facing US Citizenship Loss Over H-1B Visa Fraud
Related
Jury Selected in Trial of Man Accused of Starting Palisades Fire That Killed 12
Jonathan Rinderknecht, 30, faced jury selection Tuesday in federal court for allegedly starting the Palisades Fire in January 2025, which killed 12 people and caused $150 billion in damages. Multiple prospective jurors were excused after revealing they had personal connections to the fire or knowledge of the defendant's social media posts. Opening statements are scheduled to begin Wednesday, with prosecutors alleging Rinderknecht ignited the flames near a hiking trail on New Year's Day.
Karmelo Anthony Sentenced to 35 Years for Murder of High School Athlete Austin Metcalf
Karmelo Anthony, 19, was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to 35 years in prison for fatally stabbing 17-year-old Austin Metcalf during a dispute at a track and field meet in Frisco, Texas on April 2, 2025. Metcalf was a high school athlete, and Anthony's conviction followed a trial that included victim impact statements from Metcalf's family members. The case has drawn public attention and emotional responses from both the victim's family and supporters in the community.
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Criticizes Federal Response to Screwworm Threat
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller has criticized the federal government's response to an outbreak of New World screwworm flies, intensifying a rift with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The screwworm is a parasitic pest that infests livestock and wildlife, posing significant agricultural and ecological concerns. The dispute highlights disagreements over how to manage and contain the threat.