Cuban National Convicted of Unlawfully Obtaining US Citizenship After Concealing Healthcare Fraud Scheme

MIAMI – A federal jury has convicted a Cuban national of obtaining U.S. citizenship after she concealed her involvement in a multi-million-dollar healthcare fraud conspiracy during the naturalization process. According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Tania Rosa Rodriguez, 57, applied to become a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2017 and was granted citizenship in 2018. On her naturalization application, Rodriguez stated that she had never committed a crime for which she had not been arrested. At the time, however, Rodriguez was participating in a healthcare fraud conspiracy that began before she applied for naturalization and continued after she became a U.S. citizen. “American citizenship cannot be lawfully obtained through fraud and concealment,” said U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida. “While participating in a multi-million-dollar healthcare fraud conspiracy, this defendant sought U.S. citizenship and concealed her criminal conduct from the government. A federal jury has now held her accountable. Our Office will vigorously enforce the laws that protect the integrity of our immigration and naturalization system.” Rodriguez was later convicted in federal court for her role in the seven-year conspiracy, which resulted in approximately $4.6 million in fraudulent healthcare claims. Evidence at trial established that Rodriguez knowingly concealed her criminal conduct during the naturalization process. The jury found Rodriguez guilty of one count of unlawful procurement of citizenship or naturalization. She faces up to 10 years in federal prison.