Minnesota Correctional Officer Arrested for Alleged Immigration Fraud

Federal authorities have arrested a Minnesota Department of Corrections officer on allegations of immigration fraud, marking a significant development in ongoing enforcement efforts against immigration violations within state institutions.

Morris Brown, 45, was taken into custody last month in Minneapolis by agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Brown is an unauthorized immigrant from Liberia who faces accusations of multiple violations of U.S. immigration law, including falsely claiming U.S. citizenship on official documents.

Federal officials report that Brown initially entered the United States in 2014 on a non-immigrant student visa, which was terminated the following year. Despite his lack of legal status, Brown joined the Pennsylvania Army National Guard in 2014, a move that raises questions about vetting procedures within military recruitment.

His military career was short-lived, as authorities say he went AWOL (absent without leave) in 2015. After being apprehended, Brown was eventually discharged from military service under “other-than-honorable conditions” in 2022, a classification that typically indicates significant misconduct or failure to meet military standards.

In 2020, Brown attempted to regularize his immigration status by applying for permanent residency—commonly known as a green card—through the Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness program. This program, established to provide a path to legal status for Liberian nationals who had fled civil war and political instability, has been an important humanitarian initiative for the Liberian diaspora in the United States.

However, officials denied Brown’s application after discovering what they described as significant misrepresentations, including falsely claiming U.S. citizenship. The case took another turn when Brown reportedly applied for naturalization based on his military service, despite his problematic discharge status.

USCIS investigators examined Brown’s citizenship application as part of Operation Twin Shield, a federal enforcement campaign designed to identify fraudulent citizenship claims. During their investigation, authorities uncovered evidence suggesting marriage fraud and multiple instances where Brown had allegedly falsely claimed U.S. citizenship on official documents.

Perhaps most concerning to Minnesota officials is the revelation that Brown secured employment as a correctional officer for the Minnesota Department of Corrections after reportedly claiming U.S. citizenship during the hiring process. The case raises significant questions about verification procedures within state employment systems, particularly for positions within law enforcement and corrections that typically require background checks.

The Minnesota Department of Corrections, which employs approximately 4,300 staff members across the state’s correctional facilities, has not issued a public statement regarding Brown’s employment status or their hiring protocols. The department oversees ten adult correctional facilities and provides supervision for more than 7,500 inmates across the state.

Brown now faces removal proceedings and potential criminal prosecution. Immigration fraud, particularly false claims to U.S. citizenship, carries severe penalties under federal law. Under Section 911 of Title 18 of the U.S. Code, falsely claiming U.S. citizenship can result in fines and imprisonment of up to three years.

This case emerges amid increased national attention on immigration enforcement and employment verification. According to recent Department of Homeland Security statistics, workplace enforcement operations have intensified over the past two years, with particular focus on sensitive positions in government and public safety.

The Liberian community in Minnesota, one of the largest in the United States with an estimated 30,000 members, has established significant roots in the state since the initial wave of refugees arrived fleeing civil war in the 1990s. The community has become an important part of Minnesota’s cultural landscape, particularly in the Twin Cities region.

Federal authorities have indicated that the investigation remains active, with potential for additional charges as they continue to examine documentation and employment records related to the case.