A Rwandan immigrant living in Dayton, Ohio, has been charged with hiding his role in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda while seeking immigration benefits in the United States. Vincent Nzigiyimfura, 65, also known as Vincent Mfura, was indicted on three counts related to immigration fraud, with officials stating he misrepresented critical facts about his past.
U.S. authorities arrested Nzigiyimfura on June 12 and disclosed the indictment on June 13. According to federal prosecutors, Nzigiyimfura played a leadership role in organizing and facilitating killings during the genocide. His case underscores the United States’ ongoing determination to investigate and prosecute individuals who committed atrocities abroad and later entered the country under false pretenses.
Accusations Detail Role in Mass Atrocities
Court documents allege that during the genocide, Nzigiyimfura incited attacks against Tutsis, coordinated killings at roadblocks, and used deceit to lure victims to their deaths. As a businessman, he allegedly leveraged his resources to support and arm Hutu militia groups operating in the Gihisi and Nyanza areas.
Officials say he deliberately tricked Tutsis into thinking they were safe, only to have them captured and killed. His arrest represents a significant step in ensuring justice for the victims of the genocide, which claimed up to more than one million innocent lives.
Fraudulent Path to U.S. Residency
After the genocide, Nzigiyimfura lived in Malawi before securing a visa to the U.S. in 2009. Prosecutors say he lied on immigration forms by claiming to be uninvolved in human rights abuses and falsely portraying himself as a victim of the conflict.
Five years later, he applied for U.S. citizenship, again omitting his past. During his interview with USCIS, he repeated falsehoods under oath. Though his naturalization process was never completed, he continued living in the U.S. for over a decade.
New Green Card, More Deception
In 2018, he applied for a replacement green card, which was approved. He later used that card to get an Ohio driver’s license in 2021. Authorities say this was another instance of him using fraudulently obtained identification.
If found guilty, Nzigiyimfura could face up to 30 years in prison. Federal officials emphasized that individuals who lie to gain entry and conceal their crimes will not find refuge in the U.S.
Broader Efforts to Expose War Criminals
The Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center, established in 2009, continues to lead investigations like this one. This case involved cooperation between HSI Cincinnati, the Department of Justice, and human rights specialists.
Prosecutors Brian Morgan and Rob Painter are handling the case, assisted by historian Dr. Christopher Hayden. Officials stress that the U.S. will remain vigilant in identifying and prosecuting those responsible for atrocities—no matter how long they’ve evaded justice.
