Earlier today in Central Islip, New York, an indictment was unsealed against Faustin Nsabumukunzi, who faces charges of visa fraud and attempted naturalization fraud. Nsabumukunzi, a Bridgehampton resident, is accused of lying on his green card and U.S. citizenship applications to hide his involvement in the Rwandan genocide of 1994. Following his arrest on Long Island, he is set to be arraigned before United States District Judge Joanna Seybert.
The charges were announced by John J. Durham, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; and Darren B. McCormack, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York.
“As alleged, Nsabumukunzi repeatedly lied to conceal his involvement in the horrific Rwandan genocide while seeking to become a lawful permanent resident and citizen of the United States,” stated United States Attorney Durham. He highlighted that despite living undetected in the U.S. for over two decades, Nsabumukunzi's actions are now subject to legal scrutiny.
Durham thanked several entities for their roles in the case, including the United States Interagency Human Rights Violators & War Crimes Center and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Office of the Principal Legal Advisor.
Matthew R. Galeotti echoed Durham's sentiments, stating, “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.”
Darren B. McCormack stressed the importance of confronting such accusations, noting, “The depraved conduct of which the defendant is accused represents the worst of humanity.”
Court documents reveal that Nsabumukunzi was a Sector Councilor in Rwanda during the 1994 genocide. His role allegedly included directing armed groups to commit violence against Tutsis. The filings state that he was convicted of genocide in absentia by a Rwandan court.
Nsabumukunzi entered the United States as a refugee in 2003 and later obtained a green card and applied for citizenship, allegedly denying his involvement in the genocide each time.
Nsabumukunzi remains presumed innocent until proven guilty. If convicted, he could face up to 30 years in prison. The prosecution is led by the Office’s Human Trafficking and Civil Rights Section, among others.
The defendant, Faustin Nsabumukunzi, resides in Bridgehampton, New York, and is noted in court documents as being 65 years old. His case is recorded under docket number 25-CR-138 (JS).
