Kofi Amankwaa, a 70-year-old lawyer from New York, has confessed to running a fraudulent operation manipulating the asylum application process.
According to Breitbart News, Amankwaa exploited a legal vulnerability in the asylum system that allows migrants to fast-track their residency status by claiming to be victims of domestic abuse.
Kofi Amankwaa's fraudulent activities stretched over the years, involving the filing of numerous asylum claims under pretenses. By asserting unfounded abuse allegations, he was able to charge each client thousands of dollars, capitalizing on their desperation.
To facilitate the process, the Bronx attorney collected fees ranging from $3,000 to $6,000. He filled out and submitted thousands of immigration forms on behalf of migrants, falsifying abuse claims involving children or other family members.
This manipulation of the immigration system by Amankwaa put many genuine cases of abuse at risk, drawing attention and resources away from actual victims.
The prosecution highlights the large-scale nature of the fraud, indicating how deeply this scheme cut into the fabric of the U.S. legal and immigration systems. Amankwaa now faces a potential prison sentence exceeding ten years, along with a restitution payment totaling $16 million.
His actions primarily manipulated provisions under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), intended to aid noncitizen victims of domestic abuse in obtaining lawful residency. This fraudulent usage severely compromised the act's intention and efficiency.
Amankwaa provided his clients with unauthorized 'advanced parole travel' status. This status allowed them to travel abroad and enhance their chances of establishing legal residency upon their return to the United States.
The scheme, revealed during an intricate period of policy enforcement under the Biden-Harris administration, presents challenges the Department of Homeland Security faces, particularly after recent fraud concerns disrupted certain immigration programs.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams outlined the scope and structure of Amankwaa's operations. The illicit activities have caused significant damage, impacting both genuine asylum seekers and the operational integrity of immigration services.
Damian Williams addressed the severity and implications of Amankwaa’s actions, emphasizing the widespread consequences:
For years, Kofi Amankwaa oversaw a massive immigration fraud scheme, filing thousands of immigration documents falsely alleging that his clients were victims of abuse by their children or other family members. Amankwaa’s actions undermined our U.S. immigration system, exploited VAWA — a law that allows noncitizen victims of domestic abuse a path to lawful permanent residence status — and victimized vulnerable clients in the process.
Federal investigators found that the program for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans—aimed at managing parole and asylum claims—had also been affected by similar fraudulent activities. An internal DHS report from mid-July illustrated how fraud was prevalent across various facets of the immigration system, showcasing false information ranging from Social Security numbers to residence details.
Kofi Amankwaa has admitted to running a fraudulent scheme that manipulated the asylum application process by exploiting legal loopholes related to domestic abuse claims. He charged clients between $3,000 and $6,000 to submit thousands of falsified immigration forms, falsely alleging abuse and undermining genuine cases. His actions have drawn significant scrutiny, as they not only compromised the integrity of the immigration system but also endangered authentic victims of domestic violence. Amankwaa now faces over ten years in prison and must repay $16 million, highlighting the serious consequences of his fraudulent practices.
