Punjabi man convicted of fraud in US

Washington, July 22

A Punjabi man has been convicted of using a fake identity to obtain US citizenship, an immigration official has said.

Balbir Singh, alias Ranjit Singh (50), faces up to 10 years in federal prison, a maximum $250,000 possible fine, revocation of his citizenship and enforcement of his outstanding deportation order.

As per Acting US Attorney Abe Martinez, Balbir had previously attempted to obtain asylum under false pretences.

When that attempt failed, an immigration judge ordered his deportation from the US, making him ineligible to ever become a naturalised citizen.

A resident of Houston, Balbir, instead of leaving the country, changed his name, date of birth, the manner in which he entered the US and his familial history so that he could obtain lawful immigration status, and later naturalisation, based on a marriage to a US citizen.

US District Judge Ewing Werlein set the sentencing for October 13. — PTI