August 27, 2024
TRENTON, N.J. – A Mercer County, New Jersey, couple today admitted their roles in a conspiracy to prepare and submit fraudulent asylum applications, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
Zuwairul Ameer, aka “Zuwairul Thowfeek,” 61, and Claudette Ameer, aka “Claudette Pieries,” 63, both of Lawrence Township, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Michael Shipp in Trenton federal court to count one of an indictment charging them with one count of conspiracy to commit immigration fraud.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Applicants for asylum in the United States must show that they have suffered persecution in their country of origin on account of race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group, or have a well-founded fear of persecution if they were to return to that country. The process requires an application that is reviewed by an asylum officer with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), who makes an initial determination whether to grant asylum. If the application has been prepared by someone other than the applicant, the preparer must disclose his or her name and address and must sign the application.
Since at least 2007, Zuwairul Ameer has been in the business of preparing fraudulent asylum application on behalf of his non-citizen clients. Claudette Ameer has managed that business, acting as the primary point of contact for clients, arranging meetings, and mailing completed applications to USCIS. With Claudette Ameer’s assistance, Zuwairul Ameer met with clients, listened to their stories of mistreatment in their countries of origin, and drafted applications on their behalf that were fraudulent because they: exaggerated the stories of mistreatment; falsely omitted Zuwairul Ameer’s name as the preparer; or both.
The conspiracy charge to which the Ameers have pleaded guilty is punishable by a maximum of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense, whichever is greatest. Sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 25, 2025.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, New York Field Office, under the direction of under the direction of Assistant Director in Charge James Smith, and immigration officers with of the USCIS Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate at the New York Asylum Office, under the direction of Director Mathew Varghese, with the investigation.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron L. Webman of the Economic Crimes Unit in Newark.
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Defense counsel:Zuwairul Ameer: Mark G. Davis Esq., Hamilton, New Jersey
Claudette Ameer: Michael R. Rosas Esq., East Brunswick, New Jersey
Photo by EKATERINA BOLOVTSOVA on Pexels.com
August 27, 2024
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Trenton Police say that on Friday, August 23, 2024, at approximately 11:50 p.m., Trenton Police Patrol Bureau officers were detailed to Route 1 South bound near the Perry Street exit for a motor vehicle crash. Upon arrival they discovered that the 19-year-old driver of a 2007 Yamaha YZF motorcycle was transported to Capital Health Regional Medical Center with serious injuries. The driver of a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, a Trenton resident in his 60’s, stated his vehicle was struck by the motorcycle as he was driving south bound on Route 1. The Malibu had obvious damage to the passenger side rear quarter panel. The right lane and shoulder of Route 1 South was closed down. The motorcycle driver was in critical condition and required immediate surgery. Trenton Police Department Fatal Crash Unit Detective Joseph D’Ambrosio was contacted to investigate. The Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office Serious Collision Response Team was also contacted and responded to assist with this investigation. Witnesses indicated the motorcycle was traveling at a high rate of speed. The motorcycle driver, a resident of Vineland, suffered multiple external and internal injuries including a jaw that was fractured and nearly dislocated, a collapsed lung, and numerous broken bones. He is still intubated and in critical but stable condition.
On Saturday, August 24, 2024, at approximately 6:59 p.m., Trenton Police Communications received several calls reporting an unresponsive female in front of 603 Cass Street near McDonald’s. Reports indicated the female was involved in a motorcycle crash. Officers arrived, located the female, a 33-year-old Trenton resident, on the ground, unresponsive, and bleeding heavily from her face. The victim was immediately transported to Capital Health Regional Medical Center for treatment. Officers located a male, a 41-year-old Trenton resident who was operating an unregistered Taizhou Qianxin electric motorcycle. The male indicated a vehicle cut him off, against the red light, as he was crossing Cass Street at Route 129. This sudden stop caused him to lose control of the motorcycle, throwing the victim onto the street.
Trenton Police Department Fatal Crash Unit Detective Joseph D’Ambrosio was contacted to investigate. The Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office Serious Collision Response Team was also contacted and responded to assist with this investigation. The investigation has determined that several motorcycles were driving on Cass Street at the time, crossing Route 129, when the light appears to change. The driver of the motorcycle continued to attempt to cross Route 129, and had to stop suddenly between vehicles lawfully turning onto Cass Street. The motorcycle skidded out of control and the passenger’s body struck the ground with enough force to cause a facial fracture and minor brain bleed. The victim is in stable condition.
