A Bridgehampton man was arrested and charged with immigration fraud after allegedly lying about his involvement in the Rwandan genocide to gain entry and citizenship in the United States. Faustin Nsabumukunzi, according to federal prosecutors, used deception to hide his past as a local leader and perpetrator of violence during the 1994 genocide, which saw the massacre of an estimated 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus over a three-month period. The indictment was unveiled at the Central Islip federal courthouse, as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York.
During his time as a "Sector Councilor" in Rwanda, Nsabumukunzi is accused of directing armed Hutus to kill Tutsis and facilitating rape, among other acts of violence. Despite these allegations and a previous conviction in absentia by a Rwandan court, Nsabumukunzi was able to secure refugee status in the United States in 2003, later acquiring a green card in 2007, and applying for U.S. citizenship in 2009 and 2015. At each turn, he falsely denied any engagement in genocide, according to the indictment. "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," United States Attorney John J. Durham stated in a statement obtained by the justice department's website.
The arrest marks a significant effort by federal authorities to prosecute those who have committed atrocities abroad and sought refuge within the United States by falsifying their backgrounds. "As alleged, the defendant participated in the commission of heinous acts of violence abroad and then lied his way into a green card and tried to obtain U.S. citizenship," Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, told the justice department. The case brings renewed attention to the cruelty of the Rwandan genocide and the ongoing international responsibility to hold perpetrators accountable, regardless of time and borders.
The dedication of law enforcement agencies such as Homeland Security Investigations New York and the collaboration with entities like the United States Interagency Human Rights Violators & War Crimes Center were pivotal in bringing the charges against Nsabumukunzi. If convicted on all counts, Nsabumukunzi could face a maximum of 30 years in prison. "We will never tolerate the safe-harboring of individuals linked to such unimaginable crimes," stated Darren B. McCormack, Acting Special Agent in Charge for HSI New York, during an interview with the justice department. While the charges against Nsabumukunzi are yet to be proven in court, they serve as a stern reminder that justice, albeit delayed, is not to be denied entirely.
