An Indian-origin immigration attorney based in US is facing a fine of more than $250,000 after federal authorities accused him of filing fraudulent asylum documents on behalf of clients.
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The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced on Tuesday that Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) had filed five notices of intent to fine attorney Vinod Doddamani. According to the agency, the action relates to 32 immigration cases in which he submitted 64 fraudulent documents.
DHS claims that Doddamani repeatedly filed asylum applications that were "identical or nearly identical in language and substance, containing the same or nearly the same factual narrative and supporting details regarding the alleged persecution".
The agency said the documents were submitted on behalf of Indian nationals. In a post on X, DHS wrote: "The days of attorneys abusing and defrauding our immigration system are OVER. HSI has filed FIVE notices of intent to fine attorney Vinod Doddamani more than $250,000 for filing 64 fraudulent documents on behalf Indian nationals.
"Our message to immigration attorneys is clear: if you engage in fraud, you will be held ACCOUNTABLE."
According to US officials, it is the first time DHS has sought financial penalties against an attorney accused of filing fraudulent asylum claims.
The move follows a directive issued last month by the department's top lawyer instructing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to pursue attorneys suspected of submitting false asylum applications in immigration courts.
"Fraudulent asylum claims threaten the safety of Americans by overwhelming our burdened immigration system and delaying the removal of dangerous criminal aliens," said DHS General Counsel James Percival.
He added: "By holding [Doddamani] accountable, we are sending a message to other immigration attorneys who engage in fraud across the country: your days of abusing and defrauding our immigration system are over."
Percival also posted on X: Last month, we put the open borders industrial complex on notice—fraudulent asylum claims would result in fines against attorneys. Today we fined an attorney over $255k for filing multiple fraudulent claims on behalf of Indian nationals.
