Physician Convicted of Creating Fake Documents to Help Immigrants Fraudulently Obtain Citizenship

DETROIT – Dr. Muhammad S. Awaisi, 64, of Pontiac, Michigan, was convicted yesterday by a federal jury of five charges relating to a scheme in which he created fraudulent medical documentation in order to assist immigrants obtain United States citizenship, United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison announced.

Ison was joined in the announcement by Acting Special Agent in Charge Devin J. Kowalski of the Detroit Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection Director of Field Operations Christopher Perry.

Awaisi was convicted after a four-day trial before United States District Judge Victoria A. Roberts. Awaisi was found guilty of one count of conspiring to commit an offense against the United States and to defraud the United States; two counts of attempted procurement of naturalization contrary to law; and two counts of making and using a false document.

The evidence demonstrated that Awaisi, a medical doctor, conspired with Firoza Van Horn, a local psychologist, to create fraudulent medical documentation for immigrants seeking U.S. citizenship. The fraudulent medical documentation was designed to be used by citizenship applicants who were seeking medical waivers of the requirement that they demonstrate a knowledge of the English language and pass a citizenship test. As part of the scheme, Awaisi conducted sham medical examinations and falsely purported to diagnose citizenship applicants with a variety of medical conditions. Awaisi also wrote medically unnecessary controlled substance prescriptions, including for an opioid drug, to bolster his fraudulent diagnoses. 

Van Horn previously pleaded guilty to conspiring with Awaisi and is currently awaiting sentencing.

“Our country proudly celebrates those who immigrate to the United States and work hard to meet the citizenship requirements. Dr. Awaisi’s fraud is an affront to all those honest immigrants as well as to his most basic ethical requirements as a physician,” stated U.S. Attorney Dawn N. Ison.

“The defendant’s actions show a blatant disregard for our country’s legal process for citizenship and the oath he made as a physician,” said Devin J. Kowalski, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Detroit Division. “The alleged fraud, scheming, and conspiracy in this case is overwhelming. Unraveling the complexities could not have been possible without the assistance of our partners at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and U.S. Customs and Border Protection and we would like to thank them for their assistance in our pursuit of justice.”

“The recent conviction of Dr. Awaisi underscores the gravity of fraudulent activities that undermine the principles upon which U.S. citizenship is granted. Our dedication to maintaining the sanctity of the process remains unwavering, as we continue to ensure that those who earn the privilege of U.S. citizenship do so through lawful and just means," stated U.S. Customs and Border Protection Director of Field Operations Christopher Perry.

Awaisi faces a maximum five-year term of imprisonment for conspiring to commit an offense against the United States and defraud the United States; up to 10 years’ imprisonment for each count of attempted procurement of naturalization contrary to law; and up to five years’ imprisonment for each count of making and using a false document.

Sentencing is scheduled for December 4, 2023.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Customs and Border Protection, and United States Citizenship and Immigration Services—Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jerome F. Gorgon and Andrew J. Yahkind.