The Department of Justice (DOJ) has initiated a civil denaturalization case against Philippe Bien-Aime, the former Mayor of North Miami, under allegations of citizenship fraud. The case was filed on Wednesday in a federal court in Miami, where the DOJ claims Bien-Aime acquired U.S. citizenship through dishonest means, violating the principles of honesty and integrity essential to the naturalization process.
According to the DOJ's complaint, Bien-Aime first entered the United States using a passport with a photo that was not his, under the name Jean Philippe Janvier. After being placed in removal proceedings in 2001 and subsequently ordered deported to Haiti, prosecutors allege that Bien-Aime falsely claimed to have complied with the deportation while he actually remained in the U.S. Under a new identity as Philippe Bien-Aime, he later obtained citizenship in 2006.
The complaint further details that Bien-Aime entered a fraudulent marriage with a U.S. citizen to gain permanent residency, despite being married in Haiti. He allegedly provided false statements about his marital status, residences, and offspring during the naturalization process, constructing his citizenship on a foundation of deception.
Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate of the DOJ Civil Division stated, “This Administration will not permit fraudsters and tricksters who cheat their way to the gift of U.S. citizenship. The passage of time does not diminish blatant immigration fraud.” U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones highlighted the gravity of the allegations, particularly because Bien-Aime held public office, which entails a responsibility for honesty and adherence to the rule of law.
Bien-Aime's legal representative, Peterson St. Philippe, has expressed a preference for addressing the allegations in court rather than in the public sphere, emphasizing that the case remains unresolved with no conclusive findings as of yet.
The allegations against Bien-Aime were substantiated by fingerprint comparisons under the Historic Fingerprint Enrollment initiative, a collaborative effort by the DOJ and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to identify naturalization fraud.
If the allegations are proven true, the case could lead to a review of Bien-Aime's eligibility to have held municipal office, as U.S. citizenship is a prerequisite for such positions. Bien-Aime began his political career on the North Miami City Council in 2013, won the mayoral election in 2019, and resigned in 2022 to run for a seat on the Miami-Dade County Commission, where he was not elected. Current North Miami Mayor Alix Desulme has stated that his administration was not aware of the allegations.
Denaturalization actions are rare, but they have become an increased focus for federal authorities. A 2025 DOJ directive has instructed attorneys to prioritize cases involving immigration fraud, national security concerns, and other serious violations. The case against Bien-Aime underscores the Trump administration's commitment to preserving the integrity of the naturalization process, emphasizing that citizenship is a privilege dependent on honesty and respect for U.S. laws, particularly for those in public office.
