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ICE seeks $255K fine against Indian American attorney
Federal authorities allege the lawyer filed 64 fraudulent documents in 32 immigration cases.
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Malvika Choudhary - Tue, 23, Jun 2026
- 17:00 EDT
- 42
Vinod Doddamani / dhs.gov
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is seeking a fine of more than $255,000 against an immigration attorney accused of filing fraudulent asylum claims, federal officials said.
The attorney, Vinod Doddamani, is accused of preparing and filing 64 fraudulent documents in 32 immigration cases. ICE's Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) issued five Notices of Intent to Fine against Doddamani on June 22 and is seeking the maximum civil penalty of $255,232.
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According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Doddamani operates a nationwide immigration law practice and primarily represents Indian nationals seeking asylum before immigration courts.
Authorities allege that asylum applications filed by the attorney included declarations that were identical or nearly identical in language, factual narratives and supporting details.
“Fraudulent asylum claims threaten the safety of Americans by overwhelming our burdened immigration system and delaying the removal of dangerous criminal aliens,” DHS General Counsel James Percival said in a statement.
“For too long, immigration attorneys have not been held to the same ethical standard as other attorneys. Under President Trump, this will no longer be tolerated. ICE is seeking a fine of more than $250,000 from attorney Vinod Doddamani. By holding him accountable, we are sending a message to other immigration attorneys who engage in fraud across the country: your days of abusing and defrauding our immigration system are over,” he added.
The announcement follows a May directive from Percival calling for additional steps to crack down on fraudulent asylum claims.
Doddamani was born in India and raised internationally. A German citizen, he has been based in South Florida since 2009.
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