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Press Release

Refugee Convicted of Immigration Fraud and Removed to Somalia

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Arizona

TUCSON, Ariz. – Last week, Mohamed Abdirahman Osman, aka, Mustaf Adan Arale, 29, of Mogadishu, Somalia, was sentenced to time served by District Court Judge Rosemary Marquez. Osman previously pleaded guilty to two felony counts of False Swearing in an Immigration Matter. Osman has been in custody for two years.

At the time of his refugee application, and again when seeking his permanent legal resident alien status, Osman failed to disclose to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that he also used another identity. Osman admitted that he knew that if he had disclosed the true information, he would have been denied entry into the United States.  

“We will do everything we can to preserve the integrity of the refugee application process in the United States,” said United States Attorney Michael Bailey. “There are individuals throughout the world who are being persecuted and seeking status in the United States. Osman undermined the system and those individuals with valid claims by lying his way into receiving entry.”

As a result of his convictions, Osman’s refugee status was revoked and a Judicial Order of Removal was issued requiring Osman be removed to Somalia. On August 28, 2020, Osman boarded a flight from Arizona to return to Somalia. Osman is prohibited from returning to the United States without proper legal authority. 

“Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is committed to thoroughly investigate those who seek to undermine our nation’s security by compromising the integrity of our immigration laws,” said Scott Brown, special agent in charge for HSI Phoenix. “This case is a perfect example of how HSI and other federal agencies work together to combat those trying to defraud the government. We will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to hold those involved of these types of criminal schemes accountable.”

“USCIS is proud to play a critical role in preserving our nation’s rich history of lawful immigration,” said USCIS Tucson Field Office Director Julie Hashimoto. “Thus, we have a responsibility to protect the integrity of the system. This conviction demonstrates the severe consequences for using false information in order to gain an immigration benefit.”

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, HSI, and USCIS investigated this matter. Beverly K. Anderson, Assistant United States Attorney, handled the prosecution.                                                                                                    

CASE NUMBER:            CR-18-1584-TUC-RM
RELEASE NUMBER:    2020-071_Osman

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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/ 
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.

 

Updated August 28, 2020

Topic
Immigration
Press Release Number: 2020-071_Osman