Two doctors facing federal charges for alleged immigration fraud scheme
Two Oakland County doctors are facing federal charges of visa fraud, false statements and unlawful distribution of controlled substances in an alleged conspiracy to help immigrants fraudulently obtain U.S. citizenship.
Named in the criminal complaint are psychologist Firoza VanHorn, 70, of Bloomfield Hills and Muhammed Awaisi, MD, of Pontiac. It’s alleged that the two assisted immigrants seeking to become naturalized U. S. citizens by creating fake medical diagnoses so they could obtain waivers for the required ability to read, write and use the English language, as well as a knowledge of United States history and government. Those requirements can be waived for immigrants who can prove they aren’t able to comply due to physical or mental disabilities.
The complaint alleges that VanHorn and Awaisi diagnosed the immigrants with medical conditions that they didn’t have so they could fraudulently obtain these waivers, which allowed them to fraudulently obtain U. S. citizenship. It’s also alleged that the two documented tests that were never performed on the immigrants and prescribed medication that was not needed.
For each fake diagnosis and medical records, VanHorn typically received $ 500, the complaint alleges. Records from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services show that Van Horn assisted 1,249 immigrants file requests for such waivers over the past four years alone, the complaint alleges.
An example included in the criminal complaint alleges that a witness met with VanHorn at her office and claimed to have been in a car accident. VanHorn then allegedly wrote a report diagnosing the witness with chronic post traumatic stress disorder caused from the car accident, being held captive and assaulted by Sunni terrorists, being bombed, being jailed for a year by Saddam Hussein, and being the lone survivor of a shooting at a bus stop involving friends.
The complaint further alleges that Awaisi, as part of the conspiracy, prescribed opiates to a patient, even though the patient was not in pain and didn’t claim to be.
Upon completion of an investigation, a determination will be made on whether to seek a felony indictment, which is necessary for trial.
Officials weigh in
“The allegations in this case are truly outrageous and are a disservice to every immigrant who comes to America and becomes a citizen the right and honest way,” U. S. Attorney Matthew Schneider stated in a news release.
Added Special Agent in Charge David G. Nanz: “As Americans we look for those individuals seeking to become our fellow citizens to respect and follow the laws of our country. We expect them to accept and respect our system of government and our naturalization process. And we expect everyone involved in the naturalization process to demonstrate the same good moral character required of immigrants applying to be U. S. citizens. The conduct alleged in this complaint, if proven, demonstrates those involved showed contempt for the naturalization process and our laws.”
Director of Field Operations Christopher Perry, United States Customs and Border Protection also weighed in.
“Medical professionals are in a position of trust, profiting off of fake medical diagnoses to help others fraudulently obtain citizenship is a betrayal of that trust,” Perry stated in the news release. “U.S. Customs and Border Protection takes these allegations seriously and will aggressively pursue those bad actors who attempt to financially benefit off of such fraudulent activities.”
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan Goulding. The investigation is being conducted jointly by the FBI, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, and United States Customs and Border Protection.