DOJ Seeks to Revoke U.S. Citizenship of Former North Miami Mayor

Federal attorneys allege Philippe Bien-Aime misrepresented his identity and immigration history during naturalization process.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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The Department of Justice has filed a denaturalization case against Philippe Bien-Aime, the former mayor of North Miami, alleging he misrepresented his identity and immigration history when he became a U.S. citizen in 2006. Federal authorities claim Bien-Aime first entered the U.S. in 1997 using a fraudulent passport under a different name and was previously ordered removed from the country, but remained in the U.S. under a new identity.

Why it matters

This case highlights the federal government's efforts to revoke U.S. citizenship for foreign-born Americans as part of a broader crackdown on immigration. If successful, it could raise legal and political questions about Bien-Aime's time as mayor of North Miami, as the city's code requires candidates to be U.S. citizens eligible to vote.

The details

According to the DOJ's civil complaint, Bien-Aime, who is originally from Haiti, first entered the U.S. in 1997 using a fraudulent 'photo-switched' passport under the name Jean Philippe Janvier. In 2000, an immigration judge ordered him removed to Haiti, but federal authorities allege he never returned and instead remained in the U.S. under the name Philippe Bien-Aime. Bien-Aime later married a U.S. citizen and obtained permanent resident status, but the DOJ claims that marriage was invalid because he was already married to a Haitian citizen.

  • In July 2000, an immigration judge ordered Bien-Aime removed to Haiti.
  • In 2006, Bien-Aime was naturalized as a U.S. citizen.
  • In 2019, Bien-Aime was elected mayor of North Miami.
  • In 2022, Bien-Aime resigned as mayor to run for a seat on the Miami-Dade County Commission, but lost the election.

The players

Philippe Bien-Aime

The former mayor of North Miami who is accused of misrepresenting his identity and immigration history during the naturalization process.

U.S. Department of Justice

The federal agency that has filed a denaturalization case against Bien-Aime, seeking to revoke his U.S. citizenship.

Peterson St. Philippe

The attorney representing Bien-Aime, who says they are reviewing the complaint and will respond through the appropriate legal channels.

U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones

The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida who stated that if the allegations are proven, the DOJ will ask the court to revoke Bien-Aime's citizenship that was 'never lawfully obtained.'

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What they’re saying

“United States citizenship is a privilege grounded in honesty and allegiance to this country. If proven, we will ask the Court to revoke a status that was never lawfully obtained.”

— U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones (DOJ press release)

“As this is a pending litigation, we will not be commenting further at this time.”

— Peterson St. Philippe, Attorney for Philippe Bien-Aime (NBC Miami)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide whether to allow the DOJ to proceed with its effort to revoke Bien-Aime's U.S. citizenship.

The takeaway

This case highlights the federal government's increased efforts to denaturalize foreign-born Americans, raising concerns about due process and the legal standards required to strip someone of their U.S. citizenship. It also underscores the potential political and legal implications for elected officials whose citizenship status is called into question.