The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has initiated denaturalization proceedings against 65-year-old Pakistani-origin Murtaza Ali, alleging that he fraudulently obtained US citizenship in 2009 by using multiple identities and misleading immigration authorities over several years. If the federal court rules in the government’s favor, Ali’s citizenship will be revoked, paving the way for his deportation from the United States.
According to the DOJ, Ali submitted multiple applications for immigration benefits under different names. Investigators found that he used at least three separate identities, including “Mortaza Ali” and “Muhammad Iqbal.” It was under the alias “Muhammad Iqbal” that he secured immigration benefits, ultimately leading to his naturalization as a US citizen in 2009.
The alleged fraud came to light after forensic fingerprint experts examined records associated with the various immigration applications. The analysis concluded that the fingerprints submitted under the names “Mortaza Ali” and “Muhammad Iqbal” belonged to the same individual. The discovery prompted authorities to reopen and scrutinize his immigration history, uncovering allegations of identity concealment and false statements.
Federal prosecutors in the Northern District of Texas charged Ali in 2014 with making false material statements to a US government agency. That same year, he pleaded guilty, admitting that he had filed three separate immigration benefit applications using three different identities in an effort to obtain immigration benefits unlawfully.
On July 14, 2026, the US government filed a four-count civil denaturalization complaint in the US District Court for the Northern District of Texas. The lawsuit alleges that Ali procured US citizenship through immigration fraud, committed unlawful acts reflecting adversely on his moral character, gave false testimony under oath during the naturalization process, and obtained citizenship by deliberately concealing material facts and making willful misrepresentations.
The case is part of a broader enforcement initiative launched by the current US administration. The DOJ said denaturalization actions have also been filed against nine other naturalized citizens accused of serious crimes, including child sexual abuse, Medicare fraud, drug trafficking, and other offenses. According to the department, each of the individuals allegedly concealed significant information or made false representations while seeking US citizenship.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said individuals who obtain citizenship through fraud and deliberate deception fail to meet the legal requirement of demonstrating good moral character. He stated that the Justice Department would continue pursuing aggressive denaturalization actions to safeguard the integrity of the US naturalization system.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) also backed the move, saying anyone who commits fraud during the naturalization process forfeits the right to retain US citizenship. The department emphasized that it would use every legal tool available to revoke the citizenship of individuals who obtained it unlawfully and remove them from the country.
Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division said the administration would not grant leniency to individuals who cheated their way into American citizenship. He indicated that additional denaturalization complaints are expected in the coming months. The final decision in Ali’s case will now rest with the federal court, which will determine whether his US citizenship should be revoked and whether he should ultimately be deported.
