"Operation 'False Haven': The Case that Stripped a Cuban of Citizenship"

U.S. authorities have issued a stern warning about the implications of Operation "False Haven," a coordinated effort by ICE and the Department of Justice aimed at revoking citizenships obtained fraudulently and deporting individuals who concealed serious crimes, especially sexual offenses against minors, during their naturalization process.

The warning is underscored by the case of Orlando Chávez, a 43-year-old Cuban who was naturalized and later found guilty of naturalization fraud and using a fraudulently obtained citizenship certificate. Records reveal that Chávez lied under oath on his application (July 14, 2017) and during his USCIS interview (April 19, 2018), denying involvement in coercive sexual conduct or undisclosed crimes. He later took the oath (April 30, 2018) and used the certificate to apply for a passport (May 19, 2018). In October 2019, he was convicted of two counts of child abuse (from incidents in 2014), receiving a 14-month prison sentence and five years of probation.

A federal jury found him guilty of naturalization fraud and fraudulent use of a citizenship certificate following an ERO Miami investigation under "False Haven."

Understanding "False Haven" and Its Mechanism

Launched in 2019 by the Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force in Raleigh, NC, "False Haven" cross-references state sex offender registries and other data to identify naturalizations involving false statements or omissions. This initiative drives both criminal and civil cases to denaturalize and deport those convicted.

The operation has led to cases against serial rapists, child molesters, individuals involved in incest, sodomy, child sexual abuse material, kidnapping, human trafficking, murder, drug trafficking, money laundering, tax fraud, medical fraud, embezzlement, aggravated identity theft, and elder abuse.

Potential Consequences for Naturalized Citizens

Depending on the circumstances and the operation's findings, naturalized citizens could face several repercussions, ranging from federal imprisonment to deportation.

Automatic Denaturalization: A conviction for naturalization fraud results in the revocation of citizenship.

Federal Imprisonment: In Chávez's case, the prosecution noted that the maximum penalty could reach 10 years, with sentencing set for January 8, 2025.

Deportation: Once citizenship is revoked, the individual becomes subject to removal proceedings by ERO.

Document Nullification: The naturalization certificate and any documents obtained with it (e.g., passport) become invalid.

Retroactive Investigations: The operation reviews instances where crimes occurred before naturalization but were not disclosed.

The Case that Sounded the Alarm

ERO Miami emphasized that obtaining citizenship through deceit "tarnishes the sanctity of the process," and that "False Haven" aims to track and prosecute those who hid heinous crimes to protect communities and ensure accountability.

During a two-day trial against Chávez, the jury examined the N-400 application, the sworn interview, the naturalization ceremony, and the subsequent state conviction as part of a fraud pattern. The case was handled by DHS Deputy Director Melissa Roca Shaw and Assistant U.S. Attorney Yisel Valdés.

The authorities’ warning comes as "False Haven" continues ongoing investigations and has resulted in numerous cases nationwide. On an individual level, Chávez's case illustrates the operation's reach: if the government proves there was deceit or material omission in the naturalization process, citizenship is revoked, enabling deportation.