Faustin Nsabumukunzi accused of hiding Rwanda genocide role for U.S. citizenship

Key Takeaways

• Faustin Nsabumukunzi arrested April 24, 2025, for concealing involvement in the 1994 Rwanda genocide on immigration forms.
• He faces charges of visa and attempted naturalization fraud, risking loss of U.S. citizenship and possible deportation.
• Lies on refugee, green card, and citizenship applications kept him undetected in the U.S. for over twenty years.

Faustin Nsabumukunzi, a 65-year-old man living in Bridgehampton, a small town on Long Island, New York, faces federal charges for hiding his involvement in the Rwanda 🇷🇼 genocide to obtain U.S. citizenship. U.S. authorities arrested him on April 24, 2025, after a long investigation revealed that he lied for more than twenty years to keep his real past a secret. Federal prosecutors allege that when Faustin Nsabumukunzi moved to the United States 🇺🇸, he failed to tell immigration officials about his actions during the 1994 Rwanda genocide. He is accused of lying repeatedly on official forms, including his applications for refugee status, a green card, and citizenship—all under penalty of perjury.

The arrest shocked many in his Long Island community. For decades, Faustin Nsabumukunzi managed to live a quiet life, even as survivors and families of the Rwanda genocide continued to deal with the loss and trauma of that tragic event. U.S. officials say his ability to go undetected for so long shows just how hard it can be to uncover these types of crimes when people try to erase their pasts.

Key Allegations Against Faustin Nsabumukunzi

The evidence against Faustin Nsabumukunzi comes from both U.S. prosecutors and Rwandan court records. According to the federal indictment:

• Faustin Nsabumukunzi was a local leader during the genocide in Rwanda 🇷🇼, which happened between April and July 1994.
• He played a part in planning and carrying out violent attacks, including killings and sexual assaults, against Tutsi civilians.
  – A Rwandan court convicted him “in absentia” (meaning, in his absence) for crimes related to the genocide and sentenced him to life in prison.
• When applying for entry and immigration status in the United States 🇺🇸, Faustin Nsabumukunzi denied any involvement in such crimes or the genocide.
• He used this false information to get refugee resettlement status in 2003, lawful permanent residence (a green card) in 2007, and he applied for U.S. citizenship two times—first in 2009, and again in 2015.

The indictment claims these lies let him live in the United States 🇺🇸 without being detected for decades. Federal officials accuse him of fraudulently obtaining an immigration benefit by hiding facts about his background that, if known, would have stopped him from coming to the country or becoming a U.S. citizen.

What Is Immigration Fraud?

In the United States 🇺🇸, immigration fraud means lying or hiding important information from immigration officials to receive benefits like a visa, green card, or citizenship. Common examples include using another person’s identity, creating fake documents, or, as with Faustin Nsabumukunzi, not telling the truth on forms that ask about involvement in crimes.

Every immigration application includes a warning that all statements must be true. Lying on these forms—especially under penalty of perjury—can lead to criminal charges, loss of any immigration status, and removal from the country.

The government uses strict background checks for people seeking protected status, such as refugees. These checks are meant to keep out those involved in war crimes, crimes against humanity, or terrorism. Forms ask direct questions like, “Have you ever participated in genocide?” If someone answers “no” falsely, they may be charged with immigration or visa fraud if the truth comes out later.

You can read more about how the U.S. screens for genocidal acts and other serious crimes when granting refugee status by visiting the official U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) page on security screening.

The Rwanda Genocide: Brief Background

The Rwanda genocide is one of the darkest chapters in recent world history. Between April and July 1994, violent militias led by extremists in the Hutu majority attacked the Tutsi minority and moderate Hutus. In just about 100 days, about 800,000 men, women, and children lost their lives. Many more were forced to flee their homes, with millions displaced.

The international community recognizes the Rwanda genocide as a clear case of crimes against humanity and genocide. Some of the leaders and planners faced trials in Rwanda 🇷🇼 and by international courts, but others managed to escape, sometimes by moving to other countries.

These tragic events left deep scars, and many victims and families have worked for justice for decades. Finding people who played a role in the killings after they moved abroad is important, but it’s also very challenging, as the case of Faustin Nsabumukunzi shows.

How Did Faustin Nsabumukunzi Get to the United States 🇺🇸?

According to court documents, Faustin Nsabumukunzi applied for refugee resettlement in August 2003, almost a decade after the genocide. Refugee status in the United States 🇺🇸 is meant for people fleeing persecution because of race, religion, nationality, membership in a certain group, or political opinion. The application process demands honest answers to questions about potential war crimes or crimes against humanity.

Federal authorities say Faustin Nsabumukunzi signed these official forms and checked “no” on questions about genocide involvement. He then became a lawful permanent resident (green card holder) in November 2007. A few years later, he started applying for U.S. citizenship, doing so twice—once in 2009 and then again in 2015. He allegedly gave false answers each time.

Because of these lies, he was able to stay in the country and enjoy the benefits of life in the United States 🇺🇸 for more than twenty years.

What Charges Does He Face?

U.S. authorities arrested Faustin Nsabumukunzi at his home in Bridgehampton on April 24, 2025. He is now facing:

• Visa fraud
• Attempted naturalization fraud

If convicted, he could serve prison time. He also risks losing his green card or U.S. citizenship, and could be removed from the country.

In U.S. law, the government can strip someone of citizenship if it is shown that key information was hidden or if citizenship was obtained by lying or committing fraud. This process is called denaturalization. After denaturalization, the person usually faces removal (deportation) to their home country.

Statement from the U.S. Attorney

Federal officials have spoken out about the case. John J. Durham, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, shared strong words about the charges:

“As alleged, Nsabumukunzi repeatedly lied to conceal his involvement…while seeking to become a lawful permanent resident and citizen…For over two decades he got away with those lies…but thanks to tenacious efforts of our investigators…the defendant finally will be held accountable…”

His statement points out the contrast between how long Faustin Nsabumukunzi lived undetected in the United States 🇺🇸 and the pain suffered by victims of the Rwanda genocide.

U.S. Efforts: Catching Perpetrators of Atrocity Crimes

The arrest of Faustin Nsabumukunzi is not the first case where someone accused of genocide or similar crimes was found to be living quietly in another country. U.S. authorities, along with teams from countries around the world, continue to look for people who may have committed or taken part in mass killings, war crimes, or genocide before entering the United States 🇺🇸.

These efforts rely on:

• Constant review and sharing of information with law enforcement partners in other countries
• Tips from the public or victim organizations
• Careful review of immigration applications to spot falsehoods
• Reviewing old cases as new evidence becomes available

Cases like this send a strong message: if someone lies to get U.S. citizenship or to settle in the country, there is always a chance the truth will come out—even decades later.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, such investigations highlight the United States 🇺🇸 government’s promise to not be a safe haven for those who committed crimes against humanity. The country’s legal system is set up to provide justice not just for people in the United States 🇺🇸, but also for victims of the worst kinds of crimes elsewhere in the world.

Community Impact and Broader Questions

The small town of Bridgehampton was surprised to learn that someone accused of leading killings and violence during the Rwanda genocide was living in their neighborhood for many years. This news reminds us all that people who played a role in historic crimes sometimes live quiet, unnoticed lives in new places. For the families of those who were killed or harmed in the genocide, seeing a person accused of such acts living openly elsewhere can be especially painful.

This raises important questions:

• How can countries screen newcomers for involvement in war crimes or genocide?
• What tools do governments use to check the truthfulness of applications for refugee status, green cards, and citizenship?
• Are there limits to how well any country can investigate a person’s past when evidence may be overseas or hidden?

Officials say that background checks—including interviews, fingerprinting, and checks with foreign governments—can identify many risks. However, as in the case of Faustin Nsabumukunzi, some individuals still slip through. For the public, knowing that such cases do get discovered and prosecuted may offer some comfort, but it also serves as a warning: even the most careful immigration process has limits.

Legal Proceedings: What Happens Next?

Now that Faustin Nsabumukunzi has been arrested, he is going through the U.S. criminal justice system. He has been charged with visa and naturalization fraud, and he is waiting for his arraignment (a court hearing where the charges are formally read).

The key points in court will be:

• Whether he deliberately lied on his immigration forms to hide his involvement in the Rwanda genocide
• What evidence U.S. prosecutors can bring, including records from the Rwandan conviction and details about his actions during the genocide
• Whether he should lose his green card and/or U.S. citizenship if the court finds he was not eligible for the status in the first place

If the court finds that Faustin Nsabumukunzi lied and got his U.S. citizenship through fraud, he could lose that status. Then, immigration authorities could start the process of removing him from the United States 🇺🇸.

Comparing to Other Cases

This is not the only time the United States 🇺🇸 has taken action against people who lied about their past to get immigration benefits. In a similar case, a Rwandan man was sentenced for immigration fraud and perjury for hiding details about his role during the 1994 genocide. These cases show how U.S. authorities continue to act on information, even if the crimes took place many years ago and far away.

Importance of Telling the Truth on Immigration Applications

The Faustin Nsabumukunzi case is a reminder that telling the truth on immigration forms is very important. U.S. immigration laws are clear: anyone seeking to live in the country, become a green card holder, or claim U.S. citizenship must fully and truthfully answer every question, especially those about crimes or past actions in other countries.

Failing to be truthful can lead to:

• Loss of any benefits received through fraud, such as green cards or citizenship
• Criminal charges with possible prison time
• Removal and a permanent ban from the United States 🇺🇸

Having a system that holds people like Faustin Nsabumukunzi accountable also helps protect the safety of communities and honors the memory of victims of crimes like the Rwanda genocide.

Summary Table: The Faustin Nsabumukunzi Case

Conclusion and Next Steps

Faustin Nsabumukunzi’s arrest shows the ongoing efforts by U.S. authorities to bring justice for crimes from the past. It also acts as a lesson for anyone thinking about lying or hiding their past on applications for immigration or U.S. citizenship—sooner or later, the truth can surface.

His case will now move through the courts, where he will have the chance to respond to the charges. The outcome will depend on what the court decides about the facts of his case and the proof that both sides present. Meanwhile, the case stands as a reminder that immigration laws in the United States 🇺🇸 require openness and truth, for the protection of all.

For more on requirements and rules about U.S. citizenship, you can visit the official USCIS website, which provides clear information on what is expected during the application process.

As these events unfold, many will keep watching to see how justice is served, not just for Faustin Nsabumukunzi, but for all those affected by the Rwanda genocide and similar tragedies worldwide.

Learn Today

Visa Fraud → The act of lying or presenting false documents to obtain visas or immigration benefits illegally.
Naturalization → The legal process by which a foreign national becomes a citizen of another country, such as the United States.
Denaturalization → Legal process where an individual’s citizenship is revoked due to fraud or misrepresentation during the application.
Genocide → A systematic attempt to destroy a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group, often involving mass killings.
Refugee Status → A legal designation granting protection and residency to people fleeing persecution due to race, religion, or politics.

This Article in a Nutshell

Faustin Nsabumukunzi, once quiet resident of Bridgehampton, is charged for hiding his role in the Rwanda genocide to gain U.S. citizenship. His long deception, spanning over two decades, exposes the challenges authorities face in detecting immigration fraud, particularly involving background checks, international cooperation, and crimes against humanity.
— By VisaVerge.com

Read more:

• How to Apply for a Rwanda e-Visa: A Simple Guide for Travelers
• Rwanda and The Bahamas Announce Visa-Free Travel Agreement
• Labour Stance on Rwanda Asylum Scheme
• Rwanda Entry Denial: Senior Human Rights Researcher Barred
• Rwandan Asylum Seekers Arrive in Australia