(Syracuse.com) A Geddes man with Iraqi citizenship was sentenced Friday to four years in federal prison for lying to immigration officials regarding his connection to an Iran-backed militia while applying for a green card, federal prosecutors said.
Chasib Hafedh Saadoon Al Fawadi, 36, was convicted of making false statements on a U.S. immigration application for permanent residence and making false statements to U.S. immigration officials during an oral interview for permanent residency, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York.
During his interview with immigration officials, Al Fawadi claimed he had been threatened by Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq (AAH), an Iranian-backed Shiite militia, according to the indictment. He told immigration officials he had refused to assist in the kidnappings of Sunni Muslims and was now in imminent danger.
