In the United States, citizenship is often described as the ultimate prize for immigrants—a hard-earned recognition that comes after years of lawful residence, integration, and commitment to the country’s values. But what happens when that citizenship is obtained through deception?
That very question is now in the spotlight after the US Department of Justice (DOJ) moved to revoke the citizenship of Gurdev Singh Sohal, an Indian-origin man also known by multiple other names including Dev Singh, Boota Singh, and Sundu.
According to federal filings, Sohal concealed his immigration history, manipulated his identity, and misrepresented facts in order to secure naturalisation. This week, US authorities made it clear: fraudulently obtained citizenship will not be tolerated.
The Case at a Glance
- Name(s): Gurdev Singh Sohal (aka Dev Singh, Boota Singh Sundu)
- Timeline: Ordered deported in 1994 → Naturalised in 2005 → Fraud uncovered in 2020 → DOJ files denaturalisation complaint in 2025
- Core Allegation: Concealing previous deportation order and using multiple identities to obtain US citizenship
- Legal Action: DOJ’s Civil Denaturalisation Complaint seeks to strip him of his citizenship
A History of Defiance: Deportation Ignored
The story begins in the early 1990s, when Sohal—then known as Dev Singh—was already on the radar of immigration authorities. In 1994, he was officially ordered to leave the United States.
Instead of complying, he ignored the exclusion order and set out on a path to reinvent himself under new identities. By altering his name, date of birth, and claimed date of entry into the country, he effectively created a new persona—Gurdev Singh Sohal.
With this fresh identity, he avoided revealing his troubled past and pursued US citizenship. In 2005, he succeeded, becoming a naturalised American citizen.
Fingerprints Unravel the Truth
For years, Sohal lived under the radar. His deception might never have been discovered if not for one crucial development: digitisation of old fingerprint records.
In 2020, Department of Homeland Security experts cross-checked older, paper-based fingerprint submissions against modern digital files. The results were damning: the prints under Dev Singh matched perfectly with those under Gurdev Sohal.
That fingerprint analysis exposed the elaborate fraud, linking the deported man of 1994 with the naturalised citizen of 2005.
The DOJ’s Denaturalisation Case
The DOJ’s complaint outlines three key charges:
- Illegal Procurement of Naturalisation – Sohal never lawfully obtained permanent residency and therefore was not eligible to apply for citizenship in the first place.
- Lack of Good Moral Character – US naturalisation laws require applicants to demonstrate honesty and integrity. By lying and concealing his past, Sohal violated this standard.
- Fraud and Misrepresentation – He deliberately withheld crucial details about his immigration history, including his prior deportation order.
According to the Justice Department, these misrepresentations strike at the heart of the immigration system.
Why Citizenship Revocation Is Rare but Serious
Revoking citizenship—also called denaturalisation—is a severe legal action. Unlike visa denials or green card revocations, it targets the most protected immigration status in the country.
- Denaturalisation is civil, not criminal. The DOJ files a complaint in federal court, and a judge decides whether citizenship was unlawfully obtained.
- It doesn’t happen often. Each year, only a small number of denaturalisation cases are filed, typically involving serious fraud, terrorism links, or war crimes.
- If revoked, citizenship is gone for good. The individual reverts to their prior immigration status—if that status was illegal, deportation often follows.
The DOJ’s move against Sohal signals how seriously the US government views identity fraud.
Trump-Era Immigration Rules Set the Tone
This case also echoes broader policy shifts in the United States over the last decade.
In August 2020, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced tougher rules targeting false citizenship claims. Officials made it clear that even decades-old fraud could trigger denaturalisation.
A USCIS statement from that time read:
“Protecting the integrity of our lawful immigration system to make America safe again is our top priority. Immigration fraud is a crime we take seriously. Aliens who use false information or deceitful practices to unfairly obtain immigration advantages will face serious consequences.”
That stance has carried forward, with DOJ officials like Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate now reiterating:
“If you lie to the government or hide your identity so that you can naturalize, this Administration will find you and strip you of your fraudulently acquired U.S. citizenship.”
How Multiple Identities Enabled Fraud
Sohal’s case illustrates how multiple aliases can complicate immigration enforcement. By shifting between names, dates of birth, and personal details, he created parallel records that made it harder for authorities to connect the dots.
This tactic—common in immigration fraud—can allow individuals to:
- Apply for visas or benefits under different names.
- Avoid detection when deportation orders are issued.
- Create a false “clean slate” when reapplying for immigration benefits.
But with modern digitisation, biometric checks, and database cross-referencing, such deceptions are increasingly difficult to sustain.
The Broader Impact of Immigration Fraud
Immigration fraud cases like this have far-reaching consequences:
- Erosion of trust: Fraud undermines public confidence in the immigration system.
- Delays for genuine applicants: Fraud cases often lead to stricter vetting, making the process slower and tougher for honest applicants.
- Strain on resources: Investigating fraud consumes significant government time and taxpayer money.
- Political ammunition: High-profile cases feed into debates over “loopholes” in immigration policy, often sparking calls for tougher enforcement.
For communities, such cases can also fuel stereotypes and suspicion—an unintended consequence that affects law-abiding immigrants.
Similar Cases in the Past
The US has pursued denaturalisation in other high-profile instances, including:
- Operation Janus (2017): Targeted individuals who used different names and identities to obtain citizenship after deportation orders.
- War Crimes Cases: The DOJ has denaturalised former Nazis and war criminals who lied about their past to enter the US.
- Marriage Fraud Cases: Some denaturalisations have involved fraudulent marriages used to gain permanent residency.
Sohal’s case falls squarely into this category of identity and immigration fraud, highlighting the DOJ’s continued vigilance.
What Happens Next for Sohal?
If the court grants the DOJ’s denaturalisation request, Sohal will lose his US citizenship. Since he was previously ordered deported, it is likely he will be removed from the country once again.
Key steps ahead:
- Court proceedings: Sohal has the right to contest the DOJ’s allegations.
- Potential appeals: Even if citizenship is revoked, appeals may delay deportation.
- Deportation enforcement: Immigration authorities would need to coordinate with India for repatriation.
The process may take months, but the trajectory appears grim for Sohal.
A Message to the Immigrant Community
The DOJ’s action is not just about one man. It sends a message to millions of immigrants in the US:
- Be truthful in every application. Even decades-old lies can resurface.
- Multiple identities won’t protect you. Biometric systems are increasingly foolproof.
- Denaturalisation is real. While rare, it is a powerful tool for the government.
For law-abiding immigrants, the case serves as reassurance that fraudsters will not undermine their efforts.
Conclusion: Citizenship Is a Privilege Built on Trust
The story of Gurdev Singh Sohal is a cautionary tale of how short-term deception can unravel years later with life-changing consequences. From ignoring deportation in 1994 to securing citizenship in 2005 and being exposed in 2020, his journey reflects both the persistence of fraudsters and the eventual reach of justice.
As the DOJ seeks to revoke his citizenship, the message is clear:
American citizenship is not just paperwork. It is a solemn contract built on honesty, transparency, and respect for the law. Break that trust, and the consequences can be permanent.
