A federal grand jury in New Jersey has charged a Dominican national with unlawfully obtaining U.S. citizenship and fraudulently securing a U.S. passport after previously being removed from the country, according to federal prosecutors.
The case centers on allegations that the defendant reentered the United States under a false identity after deportation and later used that identity to obtain naturalization benefits reserved for lawful applicants.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey announced that Miguel Dario Bautista Jimenez, 41, was indicted April 20 on two counts: unlawful procurement of naturalization and passport fraud.
According to prosecutors, Bautista Jimenez is a citizen of the Dominican Republic who was removed from the United States around 2013 following a conviction in New York for criminal sale of a controlled substance in the second degree.
La semana pasada Eugenio Dario Molina-Lopez, alias Don Darío presunto líder de Los Huistas que operan en Huehuetenango #Guatemala, se entregó a autoridades estadounidenses que lo detuvieron por delitos de narcotráfico y vinculos con cárteles mexicanos. https://t.co/3HfgkQcxF0
— Sonia Pérez D. 💚 (@lanegrisgt) April 28, 2026
Federal officials allege that after his removal, Bautista Jimenez unlawfully reentered the United States using a false identity. Prosecutors further allege his fingerprints had been partially mutilated before he returned.
Authorities said he then used the false identity to obtain U.S. citizenship documents through the naturalization process, including a United States passport.
Unlawful procurement of naturalization generally involves obtaining citizenship through false statements, concealed facts, or ineligibility under federal law. Passport fraud charges can apply when an applicant knowingly provides false information to secure a U.S. passport.
Each charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, according to prosecutors. Both counts also carry potential financial penalties.
U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer credited Homeland Security Investigations, the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General, and the Diplomatic Security Service for assisting in the investigation.
The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Trevor Chenoweth and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Priscilla Gabela, according to the Justice Department.
Federal immigration fraud investigations often involve cooperation among multiple agencies because identity documents, employment records, passport applications, and prior immigration files may all be relevant to determining whether citizenship was lawfully obtained.
The indictment contains allegations only. Bautista Jimenez is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
