Isiah Kangar, a 52-year-old man from Liberia, was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge Mark A. Kearney to one year in prison for his involvement in immigration fraud. In addition to the prison sentence, he was ordered to serve 90 days of supervised release, pay a $1,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment fee. Following his sentence, Kangar will be removed from the United States. This case serves as an important reminder of the importance of maintaining the integrity of the U.S. immigration system.
A Web of Lies to Gain Entry into the U.S.
In 2009, the defendant, Isiah Kangar, used a fake identity to enter the United States. Born in Liberia, he posed as his brother to apply for a visa. The visa application stated that he was the unmarried son of a lawful permanent resident of the U.S. This claim was completely false, as Kangar was not his brother, but he successfully tricked immigration authorities into granting him the visa.
With the visa in hand, Kangar was allowed to travel to the U.S. where he became a lawful permanent resident. This meant that he had legal permission to live in the United States for an extended period. Over the years, Kangar obtained a green card under the false identity he had used to gain entry. This document gave him the right to stay in the country, and for more than 10 years, Kangar lived as though he was his brother, a lawful permanent resident.
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The Fraud Continues with a Fake U.S. Citizenship Application
Despite living in the United States under a false identity, Kangar continued his efforts to deceive authorities. In 2022, he applied for U.S. citizenship, but he once again used the fake identity of his brother. As part of the application, Kangar submitted several documents bearing his brother’s name, including the green card, a Pennsylvania driver’s license, and even a Liberian passport. These documents were all part of his fraudulent scheme to become a U.S. citizen under a false identity.
Kangar’s attempt to gain U.S. citizenship was caught when authorities investigated his case. His actions led to a federal grand jury indictment in February 2024, charging him with multiple counts of immigration fraud. During the investigation, it became clear that Kangar’s deceit had been going on for years, and he was eventually charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States, visa fraud, and attempted unlawful procurement of citizenship.
Sentenced to Prison and Removed from the U.S.
In November 2024, Kangar pleaded guilty to the charges against him. After admitting his guilt, he was sentenced to one year in prison by Judge Kearney. In addition to his prison sentence, Kangar was ordered to pay a fine of $1,000 and a special assessment fee of $100. Once he completes his time in prison, he will be removed from the United States and deported back to Liberia.
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The case has sparked a strong reaction from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, with officials highlighting the seriousness of immigration fraud. U.S. Attorney David Metcalf stated that Kangar’s actions were not only a violation of immigration laws but also a betrayal of the system that allows individuals to lawfully immigrate to the U.S. He emphasized that Kangar’s actions prevented other deserving people from receiving the opportunity to immigrate.
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) also played a key role in the investigation. Special Agent in Charge Edward V. Owens stated that fraudulent schemes that undermine the immigration system are a priority for law enforcement. The cooperation between various government agencies, including the U.S. Department of Justice, the Department of Homeland Security, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, was essential in bringing Kangar to justice.
This case serves as a reminder of the importance of honesty in the immigration process. Authorities continue to monitor and investigate those who seek to manipulate the system for personal gain.
