ICE seeks $470K fine against immigration lawyer for fraud

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is seeking a civil penalty of $470,584 against New York-based immigration attorney Suraj Raj Singh, accusing him of submitting fraudulent documents in support of asylum applications for dozens of clients. According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Homeland Security Investigations issued a Notice of Intent to Fine, alleging that Singh prepared and filed 118 fraudulent documents across 54 immigration cases. Authorities claim many of the asylum declarations contained nearly identical language, factual narratives, and descriptions of alleged persecution, raising concerns that the applications were not independently prepared.

DHS argues that such practices undermine the credibility of the U.S. asylum system and delay the processing of legitimate cases. The agency is seeking the maximum civil penalty permitted under federal law for the alleged violations. DHS General Counsel James Percival said fraudulent asylum claims threaten public safety, weaken the integrity of the immigration system, and interfere with efforts to remove individuals who are unlawfully present in the country. He added that the Trump administration is committed to holding attorneys accountable for immigration-related document fraud and preventing abuse of the asylum process.

Officials emphasized that the Notice of Intent to Fine is a proposed enforcement action, meaning Singh has the legal right to respond before any final penalty is imposed. The case forms part of a broader crackdown on alleged asylum fraud launched by the Trump administration earlier this year. In May, DHS directed its attorneys to intensify enforcement efforts against individuals and legal professionals suspected of submitting fraudulent immigration documents. According to DHS, Singh's case is only the second instance in which the department has pursued civil penalties against an immigration attorney under 8 U.S.C. §1324c(d), a federal provision covering immigration document fraud.

The announcement follows a similar action taken last month against immigration attorney Vinod Doddamani, who faces more than $255,000 in proposed civil fines over alleged fraudulent filings involving primarily Indian nationals. The latest enforcement action signals the administration's increasing focus on identifying document fraud within the immigration system while reinforcing stricter oversight of attorneys representing asylum applicants.

Although the allegations remain subject to legal review, the case highlights the government's efforts to strengthen the integrity of asylum proceedings and deter fraudulent practices in immigration law.