Jean Morose Viliena, 52, the former mayor of Les Irois, Haiti, was convicted on Friday of fraudulently obtaining a U.S. Permanent Resident Card, commonly known as a green card, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts. Viliena was found to have knowingly concealed his involvement in political violence and extrajudicial killings.
U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley condemned Viliena’s actions, stating, “The political corruption and violence that the people of Haiti endured at the direction of Jean Morose Viliena is appalling. The United States is not where you come to hide from your crimes.”
Viliena served as mayor from December 2006 to February 2010 and was linked to a political machine called Korega, which used violence to control southwestern Haiti. Court documents reveal that in July 2007, Viliena and his associates allegedly killed the younger brother of a witness who had testified in a local assault case, crushing his skull in front of bystanders.
Additionally, in April 2008, Viliena is accused of orchestrating an attack on a community radio station. During this assault, Viliena allegedly pistol-whipped one person, ordering him shot in the leg, which led to an amputation. Another victim was shot in the face and permanently blinded in one eye.
On June 3, 2008, Viliena falsely stated on a U.S. visa application that he had not participated in any political violence. Based on this misrepresentation, he was granted permanent residency and received a green card.
