Federal Court Revokes Citizenship of Convicted Rapist
An Indian-origin taxi driver serving a 20-year sentence for kidnapping and raping a female passenger at knifepoint in 2011 has been stripped of his US citizenship, the Justice Department announced Monday. Gurmeet Singh, 55, was convicted in 2014 of the violent sexual assault of a young passenger who fell asleep during a ride from Williamsburg to her East Village apartment in May 2011.
A federal judge in Brooklyn, Nicholas Garaufis, issued an order last week requiring Singh to surrender his citizenship documents, including his naturalization certificate and US passport, by September 16. Denaturalization can only occur through a ruling by a federal court and is typically reserved for cases where an individual deceived authorities to obtain citizenship or committed serious crimes, according to a report by The Times of India.
Details of the Crime and Sentencing
According to a victim impact statement read by prosecutors at Singh's sentencing, the woman woke up to find Singh on top of her with a knife pressed against her throat, asking if she wanted to live. He threatened her, bound and gagged her, blindfolded her, and raped her before she escaped from the taxi and sought help from a passerby. The New York Post reported these details, citing the victim impact statement.
Singh was sentenced to 20 years in prison for kidnapping and rape, as reported by both The New York Post and The Times of India. He is currently incarcerated at Shawangunk Correctional Facility in Ulster County, which also houses convicted serial killer David Berkowitz, known as the "Son of Sam," according to multiple reports.
Naturalization and Concealment
Singh had applied for naturalization just weeks after the assault, according to Hindustan Times. He became a US citizen on October 19, 2011, the Justice Department said. The department stated that Singh concealed his criminal acts during his naturalization proceedings.
"Singh unlawfully obtained the privileges of S. citizenship by concealing horrible criminal acts," said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department's Civil Division. "The Department will continue to protect the integrity of the citizenship process and hold accountable those who defraud our immigration system," he added.
The Justice Department's statement was quoted in reports from Hindustan Times, The New York Post, and The Times of India.
Immigration History
Singh first entered the United States in February 1992 on a six-month temporary visitor visa. He remained in the country without authorization for years before a family-sponsored visa petition enabled him to become a permanent resident in June 2000, as reported by multiple outlets. His criminal conviction and subsequent denaturalization follow years after he obtained permanent residency.