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NJ Couple Ginned Up Immigrant Asylum Applications, Charged Clients $1,000 A Pop: Feds
A New Jersey couple who operated an immigration business from their home are facing a federal trial for submitting bogus asylum applications for clients from Sri Lanka, authorities said.
Zuwairul Ameer, 61, and his wife, Claudette Ameer, 63, had been doing it since at least 2007 when a client who was approached by the FBI agreed to become a government cooperator, U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Philip R. Sellinger said.
Applicants for asylum in the U.S. must show Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that they have suffered persecution in their homeland because of their race, religion, …
North Jersey Dad Who Died After Three-Week Cancer Fight Lived 'Rags To Riches' Tale
North Jersey father and businessman Talath Witharane died after a three-week battle with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer, according to his obituary. He was 50 years old.
Witharane, of Franklin Lakes, met his wife, Erin, 21 years ago on a blind date, and together they raised their two children Evyn, 15, and Harry, 12.
According to his obituary, Witharane "led the quintessential American rags to riches story." He was born in Sri Lanka and later worked his way up from a Taco Bell employee to president of RK Environmental, a food safety company with more than 200 employees.
"One of t…