Conway, Arkansas – The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a denaturalization action against a Conway man, alleging that he obtained U.S. citizenship through immigration fraud and misrepresentation during the naturalization process.
Federal officials announced Monday that the case against the Conway resident was among 24 denaturalization actions filed nationwide involving individuals the department described as “naturalized criminals.” The Arkansas case was filed in the Eastern District Court of Little Rock.
The action targets 59-year-old Zia Murad Bhatti, a Pakistani native who is also known as Raza Moorad. According to Department of Justice officials, Bhatti entered the United States illegally in 1992 using the Moorad name and was later ordered to leave the country.
Officials allege that instead of departing the United States, Bhatti remained in the country and later married a U.S. citizen. The DOJ said he then pursued legal status and eventually U.S. citizenship based on that marriage, using the Bhatti name during the process.
The federal government argues that Bhatti’s citizenship should be revoked, claiming that he obtained immigration benefits through fraudulent actions and by withholding important information from authorities.
According to the Department of Justice, the allegations include that Bhatti fraudulently obtained permanent resident status, provided false testimony, made false statements under penalty of perjury during the naturalization process, and gained U.S. citizenship by concealing significant facts and intentionally providing inaccurate information.
Denaturalization is a legal process in which the federal government seeks to remove an individual’s citizenship if it can prove that citizenship was obtained illegally or through fraud. If successful, the person may lose their naturalized citizenship and could face further immigration proceedings.
The DOJ said these cases are part of a broader effort to address situations where individuals allegedly gained citizenship by violating immigration laws or hiding important details during the application process.
Federal officials have not announced the outcome of the Arkansas case, and the allegations against Bhatti will be reviewed through the court system. A filing by the government represents accusations, not a final determination, and the court will consider the evidence presented before making a decision.
The Eastern District Court of Little Rock will oversee the proceedings involving Bhatti. Further developments in the case will depend on future court actions and legal filings.
The Department of Justice has continued to pursue denaturalization cases in recent years, focusing on individuals who officials say may have obtained citizenship through fraud, false statements, or other violations of federal law. The Arkansas filing is part of that larger national effort involving cases against naturalized citizens across the country.
