U.S. Department of Justice
Stephen J. Murphy
United States Attorney
Eastern District of Michigan

Suite 2001 211 West Fort Street
Detroit, Michigan 48226-3277

EVENT: Guilty Plea

Defendant: Namir M. Daman

LAWYER PLEADS GUILTY TO ARRANGING FRAUDULENT MARRIAGE

Stephen J. Murphy, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan, announced today that a Detroit area immigration attorney had entered a plea of guilty to the charge of marriage fraud and aiding and abetting.

The defendant, NAMIR M. DAMAN, age 44, of the law firm Daman & Daman PC in Southfield, Michigan entered the guilty plea in United States District Court before Judge Julian Able Cook, Jr.

The fraud took place between 2000 and 2005 during immigration proceedings with the Detroit office of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, now known as U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. DAMAN admitted to actively assisting one of his clients in her effort to obtain permanent residence status and U.S. citizenship through the use of a false and fraudulent marriage. As part of the plea, DAMAN admitted to drafting and submitting documents which he knew were false.

Making the announcement along with U.S. Attorney Murphy were Andrew G. Arena, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, along with Armando Lopez,, Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago, Illinois office of the Department of Homeland Security - Office of Inspector General.

In announcing the conviction, Mr. Murphy stated, “Safeguarding the integrity of the system whereby individuals apply for and obtain citizenship in our country is a continuing priority for this office. Anyone who knowingly abuses that system can expect to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.” Mr. Murphy added that, “It is profoundly troubling that a lawyer and officer of the court would be involved in such dishonest criminality.”

Special Agent in Charge Lopez stated “Acts of corruption against the Department of Homeland Security represent a threat to our nation’s security and undermine the legitimacy of the immigration process. This plea agreement should reassure the public that such conduct will not be tolerated, and that the Office of Inspector General will work tirelessly to end corruption and bring offenders to justice.”

A sentencing date has not yet been set by the court.