Wake County Convicted Sex Offender Charged in Citizenship Fraud Case

(FRAUD ALLEGATIONS) Federal prosecutors say a Wake County resident, Isidro Arcenio Alvarado, 57, has been charged with fraudulently obtaining citizenship and passport fraud after a grand jury indictment on August 20, 2025. Alvarado, who was born in El Salvador, became a naturalized U.S. citizen on October 12, 2022, and later applied for a passport in March 2023. He is accused of lying during his citizenship process and then using that citizenship to request a passport.

If convicted, he faces up to 40 years in federal prison and automatic loss of his U.S. citizenship, with removal proceedings to follow. He made his initial appearance in federal court in Raleigh on September 9, 2025, and remains presumed innocent.

Allegations and state proceedings

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina, the four-count indictment alleges that Alvarado denied involvement in sexual crimes on his naturalization paperwork and during his USCIS interview. Prosecutors say those statements were false.

State records show Alvarado pleaded guilty in Wake County Superior Court on July 8, 2025, to two counts of indecent liberties with a child, stemming from conduct between January 1, 2019, and April 10, 2021. He received a suspended sentence of 32–58 months and must register as a sex offender.

Federal officials say the naturalization fraud predates the state plea but centers on what he told immigration officers when he applied for citizenship.

“We do not tolerate any crimes against children. If you do this, we will kick you right back out,” — U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle, whose office is leading the case.

ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), working with USCIS’s Fraud Detection and National Security Division, have coordinated closely with prosecutors as part of a national effort known as Operation False Haven.

Case timeline and federal posture

• January 1, 2019 – April 10, 2021: State offenses alleged to have occurred during this period.
• October 12, 2022: Alvarado becomes a naturalized U.S. citizen; prosecutors allege he lied during the process.
• March 7, 2023: He applies for a U.S. passport using his naturalization certificate.
• April 25, 2023: He is arrested on state sex crime charges.
• July 8, 2025: Pleads guilty in Wake County Superior Court to two counts of indecent liberties with a child; sentence suspended; must register as a sex offender.
• August 20, 2025: Federal grand jury indicts him on four counts for naturalization fraud and passport fraud.
• September 9, 2025: Initial appearance in federal court in Raleigh; case number 5:25-CR-208-D-BM.

Federal authorities say this case is part of a pattern seen across North Carolina from 2023 to 2025, where people were not arrested until after they had already become citizens. USCIS officers rely on background checks and applicant disclosures at the time of interview and may not have access to later state investigations that surface after naturalization. When later conduct ties back to false statements made during the citizenship process, prosecutors can charge naturalization fraud and seek denaturalization upon conviction.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori Warlick is handling the prosecution. ICE ERO Atlanta Field Office Director LaDeon Francis said the case reflects a strong focus on protecting children and the immigration system, noting that people who lie to gain U.S. citizenship and then face serious criminal convictions will be prosecuted and, if convicted, stripped of status.

Operation False Haven and policy implications

Operation False Haven, active through 2024–2025, targets child molesters and other egregious felons who secured immigration benefits by lying. Key features of the operation:

• Agencies share data and compare state arrest information with federal immigration records.
• Authorities move quickly when they find issues linking state convictions or pleas to false immigration statements.
• Actions include both criminal indictments and civil denaturalization suits.
• The operation has led to stricter review of certain naturalization files.

The policy message is clear: if a court finds someone lied to get citizenship, that person should expect to lose it and be placed into removal proceedings. In cases involving sexual offenses against children, federal teams prioritize swift action.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, Operation False Haven has driven closer coordination between prosecutors, ICE, HSI, and USCIS and has encouraged states to share post-naturalization criminal developments more quickly with federal partners.

Guidance for applicants and communities

For lawful permanent residents in Wake County and across the state, this case is a reminder to answer every question on naturalization forms and during interviews fully and truthfully. USCIS asks about past arrests, charges, and conduct that might suggest a lack of “good moral character,” a legal standard for naturalization. Lying in response can lead to criminal charges later, even if no case was pending at the time of interview.

If unsure how to answer, applicants should:

1. Seek advice from a licensed attorney or accredited representative.
2. Gather certified court records when relevant.
3. Disclose arrests even if charges were dropped.
4. Correct mistakes quickly if they realize they gave wrong information.

Community leaders say the case shows how local and federal systems intersect: a person may pass checks at the time of interview, but later evidence can trigger federal action. Advocates urge people to keep records, avoid guessing on forms, and correct mistakes swiftly. The stakes are high: a conviction for naturalization fraud can erase years of life built in the United States and lead to removal.

People can report suspected immigration benefit fraud to USCIS. The agency accepts detailed tips, including names, dates, and supporting documents. To file a tip online, use the official USCIS Tip Form at https://www.uscis.gov. Officials say strong reports help them spot patterns and tie state charges to federal records, especially when a passport or other benefit relies on a status that should not have been granted.

Legal standards, defense, and what’s next

Legal observers note the federal counts require proof that false statements were willful and material to the grant of citizenship or the passport application. The defense may argue:

• Some answers were not material; or
• The applicant did not intend to mislead.

Prosecutors will seek to show a clear trail of false statements that mattered to the decision.

For now, Alvarado awaits trial. His case is filed as 5:25-CR-208-D-BM in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina. Court records can be followed through public dockets or PACER.

Possible outcomes and consequences:

• If convicted on any naturalization fraud counts: denaturalization would follow as a matter of law, and immigration authorities would begin removal steps.
• If acquitted: he would retain citizenship, though state sex offender rules from his July plea would still apply.

Broader impact and final notes

The broader trend suggests more cases may be filed through 2025. Federal agencies are reviewing whether to tighten background checks and speed up data sharing so USCIS has access to state-level information closer to the time of interview. Files where applicants failed to disclose conduct affecting good moral character are being prioritized, especially crimes against children.

Residents in Wake County who have questions about past mistakes should seek legal advice before filing immigration applications. Simple preventive steps include gathering certified court records, disclosing all relevant events, and documenting rehabilitation where applicable.

The charges against Isidro Arcenio Alvarado illustrate how federal teams pursue alleged fraud tied to serious crimes. The outcome will hinge on the evidence—and a jury’s view of what he said, what he knew, and whether those statements mattered when he became a citizen and later sought a passport. Prosecutors say that if the court agrees with them, citizenship will be revoked and removal proceedings will begin; defense counsel will challenge every element at trial, and the court will decide based on the law and facts presented.