A federal grand jury in Central Islip, New York, indicted Faustin Nsabumukunzi, 65, of Bridgehampton, New York, on charges related to lying about his involvement in the 1994 Rwandan genocide in his applications for a green card and U.S. citizenship. The indictment, returned on April 22 and unsealed today, accuses Nsabumukunzi of concealing his past role as a local leader and perpetrator of the genocide that resulted in the deaths of an estimated 800,000 ethnic Tutsis and moderate Hutus.
According to court documents, Nsabumukunzi served as a “Sector Counselor” in Rwanda in 1994, a leadership position that allowed him to oversee violent actions against the Tutsi population during the genocide. He is accused of using his authority to direct groups of armed Hutus to commit mass killings, including setting up roadblocks to detain and execute Tutsis. Nsabumukunzi was later convicted in absentia by a Rwandan court for his involvement in these crimes.
Despite his criminal past, Nsabumukunzi was able to enter the United States and obtain permanent residency. In 2003, he applied for refugee resettlement, and in 2007, he received a green card. He continued his efforts to secure U.S. citizenship, applying for naturalization in 2009 and 2015. However, during the application process, he allegedly lied to immigration officials, denying any involvement in the genocide.
Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, emphasized that the case demonstrates the U.S. Department of Justice’s commitment to holding accountable individuals who have committed atrocities and tried to conceal their actions to gain entry into the country. “No matter how much time has passed, the Department of Justice will find and prosecute individuals who committed atrocities in their home countries and covered them up to gain entry and seek citizenship in the United States,” said Galeotti.
U.S. Attorney John J. Durham for the Eastern District of New York noted that Nsabumukunzi lived in the United States for over two decades, enjoying a life of freedom while concealing his violent actions. “For over two decades, he got away with those lies and lived in the United States with an undeserved clean slate, a luxury that his victims will never have,” Durham stated. He commended the efforts of investigators and prosecutors in bringing Nsabumukunzi to justice.
Nsabumukunzi was arrested earlier today on Long Island and is scheduled to be arraigned at 1:30 p.m. ET before U.S. District Judge Joanna Seybert in the Eastern District of New York. He faces one count of visa fraud and two counts of attempted naturalization fraud. If convicted, he could face up to 30 years in prison.
Acting Special Agent in Charge Darren B. McCormack of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York emphasized the importance of accountability for those involved in war crimes and human rights violations. “The depraved conduct of which the defendant is accused represents the worst of humanity,” McCormack said. “We will never tolerate the safe-harboring of individuals linked to such unimaginable crimes.”
The investigation into Nsabumukunzi’s actions was led by HSI Long Island, with assistance from the Interagency Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center. Trial Attorney Brian Morgan from the Justice Department’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section (HRSP), along with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Samantha Alessi and Katherine P. Onyshko for the Eastern District of New York, are prosecuting the case.
Nsabumukunzi’s case highlights the ongoing work of U.S. law enforcement agencies to ensure that individuals who have committed egregious crimes are not granted a safe haven in the United States. Through diligent investigation and prosecution, the U.S. continues to work to hold perpetrators of war crimes accountable for their actions, no matter where they may attempt to hide.
