Liberian Native's U.S. Citizenship Revoked After Fraud

Cyril Domaquik Clemens, a 72-year-old native of Liberia, has been sentenced to time served for naturalization fraud and ordered to self-deport from the United States. The sentencing took place on September 17, 2026, in the U. S.

District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina, according to the U. S. Attorney's Office.

Clemens, who had become a naturalized U. S. citizen on February 19, 2021, pleaded guilty to the fraud charges on June 18, 2026.

The court has now revoked his citizenship, following his admission of making "knowingly and materially false statements" under penalty of perjury on his naturalization application, the U. S. Attorney's Office said.

Child Molestation Conviction

Prior to his naturalization, Clemens had committed serious crimes, including the sexual molestation of a 4-year-old girl over a period exceeding a decade, from November 1, 2011, through March 7, 2022. On April 3, 2023, Clemens pleaded guilty in North Carolina Superior Court to three counts of indecent liberties with a child. He was sentenced to a prison term ranging from 1 year and 4 months to 2 years and 5 months and was ordered to register as a sex offender.

The U.S. Attorney's Office highlighted that Clemens lied during his naturalization process by falsely answering "No" to questions regarding his involvement in any sexual offenses or crimes for which he had not been arrested. Immigration officials were unaware of his criminal activities when they granted him citizenship.

Operation False Haven

The case against Clemens was part of "Operation False Haven," an initiative aimed at targeting individuals who fraudulently obtain immigration benefits, particularly those with egregious criminal backgrounds. The investigation was conducted by ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents, and the Fraud Detection and National Security division of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS).

U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle expressed strong condemnation of Clemens' actions, emphasizing the seriousness with which the administration treats immigration fraud, especially involving "child molesters." Boyle stated, "This disgusting child predator sexually molested a 4-year-old little girl in the United States while he tried to become a citizen."

Clemens is now required to self-deport at his own expense, as ordered by U. S. District Judge Louise W.

Flanagan. The case documents and further information can be accessed through the U. S.

District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or via the PACER system by referencing Case No. 5:25-00151-FL-1.