Deceased doctor's credentials allegedly used
A federal investigation into U.S. citizenship applications has uncovered an alleged fraud scheme involving medical disability exemptions.
Eduardo Javier Ibarra Arrowsmith, a 61-year-old Cuban national living in Miami, has been accused of posing as a licensed physician and preparing fraudulent medical documents for people seeking U.S. citizenship.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Ibarra allegedly used the identity and professional credentials of a neurologist who had practiced in Miami-Dade County and died around May 2025.
Federal investigators allege that Ibarra used the doctor's name, National Provider Identifier (NPI) number and Florida medical license information.
Court documents state that Ibarra himself was not licensed to practice medicine in Florida.
At least 34 citizenship applications involved
At the center of the investigation is U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services' Form N-648, Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions.
The form allows qualifying citizenship applicants with certain physical, developmental or mental impairments to seek an exemption from the English language and U.S. civics requirements of the naturalization process.
Federal prosecutors allege that between February 2023 and at least November 2025, Ibarra prepared at least 34 N-648 forms for citizenship applicants using the deceased doctor's credentials.
The documents allegedly contained false medical assessments claiming that the applicants had conditions that prevented them from meeting the English and civics testing requirements.
14 applicants obtained U.S. citizenship
One of the most significant allegations concerns the outcome of those applications.
According to the Justice Department, 14 applicants obtained U.S. citizenship without completing the normally required English and civics tests after submitting medical certifications that authorities allege were fraudulent.
The N-648 process relies on medical information certified by an authorized medical professional when USCIS determines whether an applicant qualifies for a disability-based exception.
Investigators allege that this process was exploited through documents prepared using the identity of a physician who had not actually conducted the assessments.
USCIS review helped uncover the alleged scheme
According to court records, scrutiny from USCIS played an important role in uncovering the case.
In August 2025, a USCIS officer reportedly became suspicious of certain N-648 forms, prompting further investigation.
Authorities subsequently identified multiple citizenship applications connected to medical documents bearing the same physician's information.
Federal investigators eventually concluded that the documents had not been prepared by the licensed physician and alleged that Ibarra had unlawfully used the doctor's identity and professional credentials.
Immigration fraud and identity theft charges
Ibarra faces federal charges related to fraud and misuse of visas, permits and other immigration documents, as well as aggravated identity theft.
Federal records also state that Ibarra is a Cuban national and has previous criminal convictions. An immigration judge ordered him removed from the United States in August 2004, according to authorities.
The current charges are allegations and do not constitute a conviction. Under U.S. law, Ibarra is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
US intensifies scrutiny of citizenship fraud
The Miami case comes as U.S. authorities increase scrutiny of naturalization cases involving suspected fraud or misrepresentation.
In a separate announcement in August, the U.S. Department of Justice said it had filed 25 denaturalization cases, alleging that the individuals involved had obtained citizenship through fraud, concealment of material facts or other unlawful means.
According to the department, the number of civil denaturalization cases filed since January 20, 2025, has reached 123, which officials described as a record.
The Miami case therefore comes amid a broader federal effort to identify alleged fraud within the U.S. naturalization system.
Attention will now turn to the legal proceedings against Ibarra and whether authorities take further action involving the citizenship cases of the 14 individuals who allegedly benefited from the fraudulent medical documents.
