Samir Ousman Alsheikh, Immigration Fraud, California 2023

LOS ANGELES – A former Syrian government official is facing serious charges for allegedly lying to United States immigration authorities about his time running a Syrian prison where prisoners, including political dissidents, were physically mistreated.

Samir Ousman Alsheikh, 72, of Lexington, South Carolina, is charged with one count of obtaining, using, and possessing a green card that was procured through false statements and one count of attempted naturalization fraud.

Alsheikh was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on July 10 at Los Angeles International Airport and remains in federal custody. His arraignment is scheduled for August 16 in United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles.

"Samir Alsheikh attempted to settle in Southern California after allegedly participating in grave abuses while part of the Assad regime in Syria," said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. "His indictment sends a clear message that those who seek immigration benefits in our country after having previously committed human rights violations will find no shelter here."

According to court documents, Alsheikh was a Syrian government official who held a variety of positions in the Syrian police and the Syrian state security apparatus, and was associated with the Syrian Ba’ath Party, the totalitarian party that ruled Syria.

He allegedly served as the head of Damascus Central Prison (colloquially known as “Adra Prison”) from approximately 2005 to 2010. As described in the indictment, political dissidents and other prisoners were severely physically abused at Adra Prison during Alsheikh’s tenure there. The indictment further alleges that Alsheikh was subsequently appointed governor of the province of Deir Ez-Zour by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Alsheikh allegedly concealed his employment at the prison, persecution of any person because of political opinion, and involvement in harming others when he applied for U.S. citizenship in 2023. He allegedly made similar false statements when applying for a visa that enabled him to enter the United States in 2020, become a lawful permanent resident, and obtain a green card.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

If convicted, Alsheikh faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison.

HSI and the FBI are investigating the case, with support from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the HSI-led Human Rights Violators and War Criminals Center (HRVWCC).

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