Gurmeet Singh Loses US Citizenship After Rape Conviction

An Indian-origin taxi driver, Gurmeet Singh, has had his United States citizenship revoked following his rape conviction. Singh, aged 55, was sentenced to a 20-year prison term after he abducted and raped a female passenger at knifepoint in New York City in 2011. The conviction was handed down in 2014, marking a significant legal judgement.

On August 31, 2026, the US Department of Justice released a statement confirming the revocation of Singh's citizenship. Attorney General Todd Blanche emphasized that American citizenship should not act as a shield for individuals who commit serious crimes. He stated, “Gurmeet Singh, a convicted rapist from India, is no longer a US citizen. He concealed a rape and kidnapping during the naturalization process.”

Blanche added that the Department of Justice is committed to pursuing cases of denaturalisation, stating that such actions would prevent fraudulently obtained citizenship from serving as a protective barrier for criminals.

Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate echoed these sentiments, declaring that Singh had wrongfully acquired the benefits associated with US citizenship by omitting severe criminal acts during his naturalisation process. Shumate asserted, “The Department will continue to protect the integrity of the citizenship process and hold accountable those who defraud our immigration system.”

Gurmeet Singh originally arrived in the United States in February 1992 on a visitor visa, intended for a temporary stay not exceeding six months. After remaining in the country unlawfully for many years, he later obtained permanent residency through a family-based petition in June 2000. Singh's case raises pressing issues related to the immigration system and the integrity of the citizenship process.

This incident marks a notable application of US immigration law aimed at upholding public safety and integrity within the system. The actions taken against Singh may serve as a precedent for future cases involving criminal conduct and citizenship.