Donald Trump’s Justice Department is considering stripping former North Miami mayor Philippe Bien-Aime of his US citizenship.
According to federal prosecutors, Philippe, a native of Haiti, lied during the naturalization process to obtain U.S. citizenship. A denaturalization case has now been filed against the former mayor of Miami.
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Why are the feds considering stripping Philippe Bien-Aime of his citizenship?
The U.S. government alleged that Philippe Bien-Aime “intentionally misrepresented his identity and immigration history during the naturalization process,” NBC6 reported, citing a 13-page civil complaint filed by the U.S. Department of Justice.
The documents allege that Philippe’s records at the Department of Homeland Security, including fingerprint comparisons, showed that he belonged to the same person previously ordered removed from the United States under the name Philippe Janvier.
According to the complaint, on July 31, 2000, an immigration judge ruled that Janvier obtained entry into the United States by fraud using a passport with a different photograph. He was then ordered removed from the US.
However, the new filing says there is no indication whether Philippe Janvier ever left the United States as ordered.
Philippe Bien-Aime was ineligible to obtain a visa as the spouse of a U.S. citizen because his marriage was void, the complaint further alleged. Federal prosecutors charged him with bigamy, claiming his Haitian divorce certificate was forged and fraudulent.
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“…U.S. citizenship is a privilege — not a right — and those who lie or hide the truth to obtain it will be held accountable,” U.S. Rep. Reding Quinones said in a post on X.
What did Philippe Bien-Aime say?
Philippe Bien-Aime declined to comment and referred the matter to his immigration attorney, Peterson St. Philippe.
In an emailed statement, Peterson said he thought it was appropriate to address the allegations through a judicial process rather than through public comment.
“We believe that any reporting will reflect that the matter remains unresolved and that no findings have been made,” he said.
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What happens if the US government wins the case?
Philippe Bien-Aime’s US citizenship will be revoked if the US government can prove their allegations.
It will also raise legal and political questions about Philippe’s time in office in North Miami, whose city code requires candidates seeking the office to be qualified voters — meaning they must be citizens eligible to vote and registered at the time.
A person must be a US citizen to register to vote.
Alix Desulme, the current mayor of North Miami, said he and his administration were unaware of the claims against Philippe Bien-Aime, let alone that he ever had a different identity, according to the Miami Herald.
“I’m in shock,” Alix said.
Half of North Miami’s residents are foreign-born, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, and the city has a large Haitian population.