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Man pleads guilty to immigration document fraud
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Posted on Feb 17 2012
By Ferdie de la Torre
Reporter
Reporter
A man facing immigration document fraud charges in federal court pleaded guilty yesterday as part of a plea deal with the U.S. government.
Mohammed Shoukat Bhuiyan pleaded guilty to count 3 of the indictment that charged him with immigration document fraud. He will be sentenced on May 22. He was allowed to remain free on bail until then.
According to court papers, Bhuiyan, a Bangladesh national, lied in his Oct. 13, 2008, application for adjustment of status to lawful permanent resident.
Part of the application form asks the question: “Have you, by fraud or willful misrepresentation of a material fact, ever sought to procure, or procured any immigration benefit?” Bhuiyan answered no.
Bhuiyan knew his response was false since he sought immigration status as a permanent resident of the U.S. by claiming to have lived with wife, Delora Taman Bhuiyan from 2007 until Oct. 13, 2008. Bhuiyan knew this was false since he had not in fact lived with Delora Taman Bhuiyan for that period.
Last month, Delora Bhuiyan pleaded guilty to a count of immigration document fraud. Her sentencing will be on April 13, 2012.
U.S. District Court for the NMI Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona is presiding over the present case. Assistant U.S. attorney Ross Naughton is prosecuting. Court-appointed counsel Colin Thompson serves as counsel for the defendant.
