MIAMI — The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), in coordination with the U.S. Department of Justice, has played a key role in an investigation that led to the filing of a civil denaturalization complaint against former North Miami Mayor Philippe Bien-Aime.
Filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, the complaint alleges that Bien-Aime — also known as Jean Philippe Janvier, a native of Haiti — obtained U.S. citizenship through document fraud, marriage fraud, and false statements during immigration proceedings.
Dual Identities and Fraudulent Entry
According to investigators, Bien-Aime entered the United States using a fraudulent, photo-switched passport under the Janvier identity. He was later placed in removal proceedings in 2001 and ultimately ordered removed from the country.
Authorities say he withdrew his appeal and claimed to have returned to Haiti, but instead remained in the United States and assumed a new identity — Philippe Bien-Aime.
Marriage Fraud and Path to Citizenship
Under his new identity, Bien-Aime allegedly married a U.S. citizen to obtain lawful permanent resident status. However, the government contends the marriage was fraudulent and legally invalid, as he was already married to another individual in Haiti at the time.
Despite these issues, Bien-Aime successfully adjusted his status and later naturalized as a U.S. citizen in 2006, allegedly after making multiple false statements during immigration interviews and applications.
Fingerprint Technology Uncovers Fraud
The case was uncovered through the Historic Fingerprint Enrollment project, a joint initiative between USCIS and the Justice Department. By comparing fingerprint records submitted under both identities, authorities were able to confirm that Bien-Aime and Janvier were the same individual.
Grounds for Denaturalization
The complaint outlines several reasons why the government is seeking to revoke Bien-Aime’s citizenship, including:
- Being subject to a final removal order, which disqualified him from naturalization
- Unlawful adjustment of status due to fraud and invalid marriage
- Providing false testimony under oath during immigration proceedings
- Concealing material facts, including prior identity, removal history, and personal background
If the court grants the complaint, Bien-Aime could lose his U.S. citizenship and face further immigration consequences.
Ongoing Enforcement Efforts
The case is being litigated by the DOJ’s Office of Immigration Litigation, alongside the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida. USCIS emphasized that the charges are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven otherwise in court.
This case underscores the federal government’s continued efforts to identify and address immigration fraud, particularly in cases involving naturalization obtained through misrepresentation.
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