The Department of Justice (DOJ) has launched a civil denaturalization case against former North Miami Mayor Philippe Bien-Aime, accusing him of obtaining U.S. citizenship through fraudulent means.
Filed on Wednesday in federal court in Miami, the complaint alleges Bien-Aime misrepresented his identity and immigration history to secure naturalization, a process the DOJ says must uphold honesty and integrity.
According to the filing, Bien-Aime first entered the United States under the name Jean Philippe Janvier using a “photo-switched” passport.
He was placed in removal proceedings in 2001 and was ordered deported to Haiti.
Prosecutors claim he withdrew an appeal while falsely asserting he had returned to Haiti, but in reality, he remained in the U.S. and later assumed a new identity as Philippe Bien-Aime, ultimately obtaining citizenship in 2006.
The complaint further alleges Bien-Aime engaged in a fraudulent marriage to a U.S. citizen to secure permanent residency, despite still being legally married in Haiti.
Officials say he provided false statements regarding his marital history, residences, and children during the naturalization process, effectively constructing U.S. citizenship on deception, according to The Blaze.
“This Administration will not permit fraudsters and tricksters who cheat their way to the gift of U.S. citizenship,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate of the DOJ Civil Division. “The passage of time does not diminish blatant immigration fraud.”
U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones emphasized the seriousness of the allegations, noting that Bien-Aime held public office while allegedly misrepresenting his legal status.
“The fact that he later served as an elected mayor makes the alleged deception even more serious, because public office carries a duty of candor and respect for the rule of law,” he said.
Bien-Aime’s attorney, Peterson St. Philippe, told the Miami Herald that the matter will be addressed in court.
“We believe it is appropriate to address the allegations through the judicial process rather than through public commentary. We trust that any reporting will reflect that the matter remains unresolved and that no findings have been made.”
The allegations were corroborated through fingerprint comparisons conducted under the Historic Fingerprint Enrollment initiative, a joint DOJ and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services project aimed at uncovering naturalization fraud.
If proven, the case could prompt a review of Bien-Aime’s eligibility to hold office, as U.S. citizenship is a requirement for municipal leadership.
Bien-Aime’s political career began on the North Miami City Council in 2013.
He won the mayoral election in 2019 and resigned in 2022 to pursue a seat on the Miami-Dade County Commission, an unsuccessful campaign. North Miami Mayor Alix Desulme said his administration was unaware of the allegations.
Legal experts note that denaturalization actions remain rare but are a growing focus for federal authorities.
A 2025 DOJ directive instructed attorneys to prioritize cases involving immigration fraud, national security concerns, and other serious violations.
Under this initiative, fingerprint and identity verification play a key role in ensuring that U.S. citizenship is not obtained through deception.
The case against Bien-Aime illustrates the Trump administration’s broader emphasis on protecting the integrity of the naturalization process.
Federal prosecutors maintain that citizenship is a privilege, contingent on honesty and respect for U.S. law, particularly for those entrusted with public office.
Should the court grant the DOJ’s request, it would underscore the consequences of circumventing immigration regulations, even years after citizenship was obtained.
