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A former mayor of North Miami, Philippe Bien-Aime, is facing a civil denaturalization process after being accused of using two different identities to obtain immigration benefits and subsequently U.S. citizenship.
The action was filed this week in the U.S. District Court in Miami, as a result of a joint investigation by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Department of Justice.
According to a report from USCIS, the former official -also known as Jean Philippe Janvier and originally from Haiti- allegedly entered the United States using a fraudulent passport with an altered photograph.
According to the complaint, after being subjected to a deportation process under that identity and receiving a final expulsion order in 2001, he appealed the decision but later withdrew the appeal, claiming that he had returned to Haiti.
However, the authorities maintain that he remained in U.S. territory and later used a different name and date of birth to continue his immigration process.
The investigation that led to the lawsuit was based on the comparison of fingerprints provided under both identities, as part of a federal initiative to conduct a historical review of biometric records. This verification confirmed that it was the same person.
The civil complaint filed by the federal government argues that Bien-Aime could not legally apply for naturalization due to the existence of a final deportation order against him, which—if proven—would have prevented both the granting of permanent residence and subsequent citizenship.
Additionally, the authorities claim that the former mayor married a U.S. citizen to adjust his immigration status while still married to a Haitian citizen, which would invalidate the relationship presented to immigration.
The file also accuses him of providing false information under oath during immigration interviews, including details related to previous addresses and family information.
USCIS emphasized in its statement that it maintains "zero tolerance for immigration fraud" and that it will promote denaturalization procedures "regardless of who they are."
However, the agency itself reminded that the accusations are allegations that must be proven before the court.
Bien-Aime was elected mayor in 2019 and resigned in 2022 to run for a seat on the Miami-Dade County Commission, an election he ultimately lost.
If the denaturalization succeeds, the case could have legal implications regarding his past eligibility to hold public office, as the North Miami municipal code requires that candidates be registered U.S. citizens eligible to vote.
His lawyer, Peterson St. Philippe, stated to NBC Miami that they are reviewing the complaint and will respond to the allegations "through the appropriate legal channels."
For his part, federal prosecutor Jason A. Reding Quiñones stated in a press release: "U.S. citizenship is a privilege based on honesty and loyalty to this country." He added that, if the facts are proven, the government will request the court to revoke a immigration status that "was never obtained legally."
The case arises in a context where the federal administration has strengthened the processes for reviewing and revoking citizenship in cases where irregularities are detected.
Legal experts consulted by U.S. media underline that denaturalization is a complex and lengthy process, which can extend for years before a final resolution is reached.
Beyond the judicial process itself, the case once again highlights the importance of transparency in immigration procedures and the consequences that can arise when authorities believe that citizenship was obtained through deception.
Bien-Aime's judicial future will now depend on what the federal court in Miami decides, where the Government will have to prove that citizenship was obtained illegally or through the concealment of essential facts.
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