Federal authorities have filed a civil complaint seeking to revoke the U.S. citizenship of former North Miami Mayor Philippe Bien-Aime, accusing him of lying about his identity and immigration history to obtain naturalization.
In a 13-page complaint filed by the Department of Justice, prosecutors allege Bien-Aime “willfully misrepresented his identity and immigration history throughout the naturalization process,” according to court documents reviewed by NBC6.
The DOJ described the case as a rare denaturalization action. Prosecutors say Bien-Aime is the same individual who was previously ordered removed from the United States under a different name.
According to court records, Department of Homeland Security data, including fingerprint comparisons, indicate that the man who became a U.S. citizen as Philippe Bien-Aime is the same person once known as Philippe Janvier.
The complaint states that on July 31, 2000, an immigration judge ruled that Janvier entered the United States by fraud using a “photo-switched” passport and ordered him removed to Haiti.
Authorities say there is no evidence he ever complied with that removal order.
Additional reporting from Fox News’ Bill Melugin states that investigators allege Bien-Aime first entered the United States using a fraudulent “photo-switched” passport under the name Jean Philippe Janiver.
He was ordered deported in 2001, appealed the decision, and later withdrew the appeal, claiming he had returned to Haiti.
The Justice Department filed a civil complaint to revoke the U.S. citizenship of former North Miami mayor, Philippe Bien-Aime, alleging he fraudulently obtained naturalization by concealing material facts about his past. The case underscores that U.S. citizenship is a… pic.twitter.com/YZrSc0EMOR
— US Attorney Reding Quiñones (@USAO_SDFL) February 20, 2026
Instead, prosecutors allege, he remained in the United States, adopted the name Philippe Bien-Aime, changed his date of birth, and pursued legal status under the new identity.
The DOJ further alleges Bien-Aime obtained permanent residency through marriage fraud.
Prosecutors claim he married a U.S. citizen while still legally married to a spouse in Haiti.
Federal authorities are accusing former North Miami Mayor Philippe Bien-Aime of lying during the naturalization process in order to become a U.S. citizen — allegations that could now cost him that citizenship. https://t.co/OfBMfcmH27
— NBC 6 South Florida (@nbc6) February 19, 2026
The government alleges that a Haitian divorce certificate he submitted was “counterfeit and fraudulent.”
Immigration Fraudster & Former North Miami, Florida Mayor Philippe Bien-Aime Has Been Referred To DOJ For Denaturalization After Lying To @ICEgov About His True Identity During Citizenship Process.
Bien-Aime Was Previously Issued A Deportation Order Under Name Philippe Janvier. pic.twitter.com/q5qXVe8gXa— John Basham (@JohnBasham) February 20, 2026
After what prosecutors describe as “a series of fraudulent statements,” Bien-Aime was naturalized as a U.S. citizen in 2006.
Federal investigators later uncovered the alleged scheme through fingerprint analysis comparing records tied to both identities.
JUST IN: The DOJ is seeking to strip former North Miami Mayor Philippe Bien-Aime of his U.S. citizenship
Federal officials allege Bien-Aime is actually Philippe Janvier, a man ordered deported in 2000 for using a fraudulent passport. https://t.co/ifjgeX8fY7
— Florida’s Voice (@FLVoiceNews) February 20, 2026
The review is part of what officials describe as a broader national initiative by DOJ and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services aimed at identifying fraud in the naturalization system.
Bien-Aime, who was elected mayor of North Miami in 2019, most recently ran unsuccessfully for the Miami-Dade County Commission.
NBC6 reported that no one answered the door at his North Miami home.
Reached by phone, Bien-Aime declined to comment.
His attorney, Peterson St. Philippe, said, “We are aware of the government’s filing and are in the process of reviewing it. We intend to respond through the appropriate legal channels. As this is pending litigation, we will not be commenting further at this time.”
If the DOJ prevails, the case could trigger legal and political consequences tied to Bien-Aime’s time in office.
North Miami’s city code requires candidates to be qualified electors, meaning U.S. citizens eligible to vote and properly registered. U.S. citizenship is a prerequisite for voter registration.
