(VIDEO) Feds Allege Former North Miami Mayor Lived 30-Year Lie, Seek to Strip U.S. Citizenship

MIAMI — Federal prosecutors have filed a civil complaint to revoke the U.S. citizenship of former North Miami Mayor Philippe Bien-Aime, accusing the Haiti-born politician of using false identities, a fraudulent marriage and repeated lies to immigration authorities over nearly three decades to unlawfully obtain permanent residency and naturalization.

The U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced the denaturalization action Feb. 18, 2026, in U.S. District Court in Miami. The 13-page complaint, assigned to Judge K. Michael Moore, claims Bien-Aime — also known as Jean Philippe Janvier — entered the United States illegally in 1995 or 1997 using a “photo-switched” fraudulent passport under the Janvier name.

In 2000 or 2001, an immigration judge ordered him removed from the country under that identity. Bien-Aime appealed but later withdrew the appeal, falsely representing that he had returned to Haiti. Instead, authorities allege, he remained in the U.S., assumed the new name Philippe Bien-Aime with a different date of birth, and married a U.S. citizen to adjust his status to permanent resident. Prosecutors say the marriage was a sham and invalid because he was already married to a woman in Haiti, and he presented a fraudulent Haitian divorce certificate to immigration officials.

After making “numerous false and fraudulent statements” during adjustment and naturalization proceedings — including denying he was subject to a removal order, lying about prior lies to government officials, and providing misleading information about his children and addresses — Bien-Aime naturalized as a U.S. citizen in 2006 under the Bien-Aime identity.

Fingerprint comparisons conducted by Homeland Security investigators linked the two identities, confirming the same person used both names. The complaint argues his naturalization must be revoked on multiple grounds: concealment of the removal order, unlawful adjustment due to fraud and bigamy, and willful misrepresentation of material facts during interviews.

“United States citizenship is a privilege grounded in honesty and allegiance to this country,” said U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida. “The complaint alleges that this defendant built his citizenship on fraud — using false identities, false statements, and a sham marriage to evade a lawful removal order. The fact that he later served as an elected mayor makes the alleged deception even more serious, because public office carries a duty of candor and respect for the rule of law.”

Bien-Aime, who served on the North Miami City Council starting around 2013 and was elected mayor in 2019, resigned in 2022 to run unsuccessfully for Miami-Dade County Commission. He has not publicly commented on the allegations. The case is civil, not criminal, so no arrest warrant has been issued, but if successful, revocation could lead to deportation proceedings.

Denaturalization cases are rare but pursued when fraud is proven material to citizenship eligibility. The government must show clear and convincing evidence in court. Bien-Aime’s attorneys have not yet filed a response, and the docket remains restricted in parts due to privacy protocols.

The action aligns with the Trump administration’s aggressive stance on immigration enforcement, including expanded denaturalization efforts targeting those accused of fraud in naturalization. USCIS emphasized its role in the investigation, stating it has “zero-tolerance” for such violations regardless of status.

Bien-Aime’s political career unfolded in North Miami, a city with a large Haitian-American population. He won council and mayoral races emphasizing community service and economic development. The allegations, if proven, could tarnish that legacy and raise questions about vetting for public office.

Local leaders and residents expressed shock. Some Haitian community advocates called for due process, while others said fraud undermines trust in elected officials. The case draws parallels to prior denaturalization actions against individuals who concealed criminal histories or prior deportations.

As proceedings move forward, the complaint seeks revocation of Bien-Aime’s citizenship and any related benefits. No trial date has been set, but the filing marks the start of what could be a lengthy legal battle.

The Justice Department reiterated that citizenship obtained through fraud “carries serious consequences,” underscoring the government’s commitment to protecting the integrity of the naturalization process.