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A Lawrence Township couple pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit immigration fraud by preparing fraudulent asylum applications for non-citizen clients, according to U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger.
Zuwairul Ameer, also known as Zuwairul Thowfeek, and Claudette Ameer, also known as Claudette Pieries, entered guilty pleas in front of U.S. District Judge Michael Shipp in U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey on Aug. 26.
They are awaiting sentencing, which will occur in February 2025. The conspiracy charge is punishable by up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense, whichever is greater.
Zuwairul Ameer has been preparing fraudulent asylum applications and Claudette Ameer has been assisting him since at least 2007, officials said.
Claudette Ameer managed the business and acted as the primary point of contact for clients. She arranged for meetings for them with Zuwairul Ameer. She also mailed the completed applications to the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services.
During those meetings with non-citizen clients, Zuwairul Ameer listened to their stories of mistreatment in their native countries and drafted applications for asylum on their behalf.
The applications were fraudulent because they either exaggerated the tales of mistreatment or falsely left out Ameer’s name as the preparer, or both, officials said.
Applicants for asylum must show they have suffered persecution in their home country because of their race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a particular social group. They may also demonstrate that they have a well-founded fear of persecution if they were to return to that country.
They must fill out an application for asylum that is reviewed by an asylum officer with the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Service. The asylum officer makes the initial determination whether to grant asylum.
If the application has been filled out or prepared by someone other than the asylum seeker, the preparer must disclose his or her name and address and sign the application. Zuwairul Ameer either exaggerated their stories of mistreatment, or did not list himself as the preparer, officials said.
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