Lawrence Couple Submitted Exaggerated Asylum Documents, Feds Say

LAWRENCE, NJ - A Mercer County couple was indicted this week after allegedly preparing fake asylum applications for clients for over 15 years, federal officials said.

Zuwairul Ameer, also known as “Zuwairul Thowfeek,” 61, and Claudette Ameer, also known as “Claudette Pieries,” 63, both of Lawrence Township, were indicted Tuesday on one count of conspiring to commit immigration fraud and one count of committing immigration fraud, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said.

According to documents filed in the case and statements made in court, applicants for asylum in the U.S. must show that they have suffered persecution in their country of origin due to circumstances surrounding race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group, or have a well-founded fear of persecution if they were to return.

However, since at least 2007, Zuwairul Ameer has prepared fraudulent asylum applications on behalf of his non-citizen clients by exaggerating the stories of mistreatment, falsely omitted Zuwairul Ameer’s name as the preparer, or both.

Claudette Ameer managed the business, acting as the primary point of contact for clients, arranging meetings and mailing completed applications.