ICE Pursues Civil Penalties Against Attorney for Alleged Asylum Fraud

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) plans to impose civil fines exceeding $470,000 on a New York lawyer accused of submitting fraudulent documents for asylum claims. The lawyer, Suraj Raj Singh, is alleged to have used more than 100 documents with similar descriptions of persecution for his clients. This announcement comes from Homeland Security Investigations, which issued a notice against Singh for his nationwide practice primarily representing Indian nationals.

According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), ICE claims Singh prepared and submitted 118 fraudulent documents across 54 immigration cases. The agency is seeking a maximum possible fine of $470,584. The notice of intent to fine Singh led to accusations that his actions undermine the American immigration system, delay deportations, and threaten public safety.

‘Fraudulent asylum claims threaten the safety of the American people, undermine our immigration system and delay the removal of dangerous criminal illegal aliens,’ stated DHS General Counsel James Percival.

He stressed that the Trump administration, along with Secretary Mullin, intends to hold accountable those who defraud and misuse the immigration system.

The notice to fine is a proposed civil enforcement action, giving the accused a chance to respond before any penalties become final. This step is part of broader efforts to clamp down on suspected asylum frauds initiated by the Trump administration.

DHS highlighted that this is the second instance where civil penalties have been sought against an immigration attorney under 8 U.S.C. § 1324c(d), a regulation that allows fines for fraudulent immigration-related documents.

Last month, ICE also issued fines against attorney Vinod Doddamani. Five notices of intent to fine were issued, amounting to $255,232 for alleged document frauds in immigration procedures.

Fox News Digital reached out to Singh for comments, though no statement has been issued yet.