By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in NJ reported today that a Mercer County couple was indicted for conspiring to prepare and submit fraudulent asylum applications.
U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced Zuwairul Ameer, aka "Zuwairul Thowfeek," 61, and Claudette Ameer, aka "Claudette Pieries," 63, both of Lawrence Township, were both indicted on August 29, on one count of conspiring to commit immigration fraud and one count of committing immigration fraud.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
According to officials, applicants for asylum in the United States must show that they have suffered persecution in their country of origin on account of race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group or have a well-founded fear of persecution if they were to return to that country.
The process requires an application that is reviewed by an asylum officer with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), who makes an initial determination of whether to grant asylum officials said.
NJ officials stated that if the application has been prepared by someone other than the applicant, the preparer must disclose their name and address and sign the application.
Since at least 2007, officials say, Zuwairul Ameer has been in the business of preparing fraudulent asylum applications on behalf of his non-citizen clients.
Claudette Ameer has managed that business, acting as the primary point of contact for clients, arranging meetings, and mailing completed applications to USCIS.
Officials said with Claudette Ameer's assistance, Zuwairul Ameer met with clients, listened to their stories of mistreatment in their countries of origin, and drafted applications on their behalf that were fraudulent because they exaggerated the stories of mistreatment, falsely omitted Zuwairul Ameers' name as the preparer or both.
