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Press Release

Man from Dominican Republic pleads guilty, sentenced for forging an alien resident card

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of New York

BUFFALO, N.Y. –U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Jose Miguel Nunez Carmona, 30, a citizen of the Dominican Republic, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. to forged or falsely made alien resident card. He was hen sentenced to time served and turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sasha Mascarenhas, who handled the case, stated that on April 23, 2025, during an encounter with U.S. Border Patrol Agents, Nunez Carmona admitted to being in the United States illegally. He had in his possession a United States Permanent Resident Card as proof of his identity and lawful status in the United States. The card contained Nunez Carmona’s photograph and biographical information, along with a United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) number. Agents physically examined the resident card and found it to be fraudulent because of the lack of security measures that these cards are typically equipped with, blurry water marks, low quality background imaging, and improper fonts. A records check revealed that Nunez Carmona had never been issued permanent residency in the United States and the USCIS number did not come back to any individual. Nunez Carmona admitted to agents that the resident card was fraudulent.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

The plea and sentencing are the result of an investigation by U.S. Border Patrol, under the direction of Patrol Agent in Charge Martin B. Coombs.

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Contact

Barbara Burns

716-843-5817

Updated July 15, 2025

Topics
Operation Take Back America
Immigration