A Salvadoran national and convicted child molester is facing charges of naturalization fraud and passport fraud after allegedly lying about his criminal history to obtain U.S. citizenship and a passport, federal authorities said. Isidro Arcenio Alvarado, 57, appeared in a federal court following an indictment by a federal grand jury on August 20, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina.
"We will not tolerate illegal aliens or lying immigrants who get status to stay in this wonderful country if they hurt children," United States Attorney Ellis Boyle remarked in a concise statement. He added, "We do not tolerate any crimes against children. If you do this, we will kick you right back out." The allegations against Alvarado include false statements under oath during his naturalization process and using a fraudulently obtained naturalization certificate to apply for a U.S. passport, as per the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Details from the indictment reveal Alvarado denied any involvement in sexual misconduct or any criminal activities for which he was not arrested when applying for citizenship. The indictment specifically references questions pertaining to forced sexual contact and whether he had ever lied to U.S. government officials. Alvarado, who took the oath of citizenship on October 12, 2022, was later arrested and pleaded guilty to sex offenses against a child on July 8, 2025, in North Carolina's Superior Court.
Alvarado's guilty plea relates to the abuse of a 10-year-old child spanning from January 1, 2019, to April 10, 2021. These crimes were not brought to light until after his naturalization, leaving immigration officials unaware at the time of his application. A maximum penalty of 40 years in prison and automatic revocation of his U.S. citizenship awaits Alvarado should he be convicted on the four-count indictment, the announcement by the U.S. Attorney's Office stated.
The investigation is part of Operation False Haven, an initiative targeting child molesters and others with egregious felonies who secured U.S. citizenship through deceit, spearheaded by ICE ERO officers and HSI agents from the Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force. The USCIS’s Fraud Detection and National Security Division is also contributing to these efforts. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori Warlick is in charge of prosecution for the case.
