15 years ago, a cabdriver SA’d his passenger, now his US citizenship is being stripped

Gurmeet Singh has officially lost his United States citizenship following a federal court order that marks the conclusion of a long legal saga stemming from a violent crime. As reported by the NY Post, the Justice Department confirmed this development, noting that the India-born cab driver was stripped of his status because he hid his past criminal actions during the naturalization process. 

Back in May 2011, Singh was operating his taxi when he picked up a young female passenger in Williamsburg with the intention of driving her to her apartment in the East Village. The passenger unfortunately fell asleep during the ride, and it was during this time that Singh reportedly diverted from his duties as a driver to commit a violent sexual assault. 

According to a victim impact statement shared by prosecutors during his sentencing, the woman reportedly woke up to find the cabbie on top of her and holding a knife against her throat, asking her if she wanted to live. Singh went on to bind, gag, and blindfold the woman before removing her clothing and raping her at knifepoint. 

He is currently serving a 20-year sentence 

The victim eventually managed to escape the vehicle on foot and was able to flag down passersby to get the help she desperately needed. This horrific event occurred just weeks before Singh filed his application to become a naturalized citizen. The Justice Department reported that he intentionally concealed these acts while his naturalization proceedings were ongoing, which ultimately allowed him to become a citizen on October 19, 2011.

Singh is currently serving a 20-year sentence at the Shawangunk Correctional Facility in Wallkill. This is a maximum-security prison that is also known for housing the infamous killer David Berkowitz. Singh is not expected to be released until February 2029. At that time, the Department of Homeland Security will have the authority to make the final determination regarding his deportation.

The path forward for him is clear, as he has been ordered by Brooklyn federal judge Nicholas Garaufis to surrender his citizenship documents, including his naturalization certificate and his United States passport.

Attorney General Todd Blanche emphasized the gravity of the situation in a recent statement regarding the court decision. “American citizenship is not a shield for criminals. Gurmeet Singh, a convicted rapist from India, is no longer a U.S. citizen. He concealed a rape and kidnapping during the naturalization process, and a federal court has now revoked his citizenship,” he said. 

The Attorney General further clarified the department’s stance on these types of cases moving forward. He said, “This Department took this case across the finish line, and we will continue to move expeditiously on denaturalization referrals. Fraudulently obtained citizenship will not protect criminals from justice.”