Former CT Resident Admits to War Crimes Deception for U.S. Citizenship

UPDATE: A former Connecticut resident has pleaded guilty to lying about her involvement in war crimes to secure U.S. citizenship. Nada Radovan Tomanic, 53, formerly of Hartford and now a resident of West Virginia, entered her plea on Monday in federal court in Bridgeport, Connecticut.

This shocking admission, confirmed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut, highlights a significant breach of trust in the immigration process. Tomanic faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and is scheduled for sentencing on February 3, 2024.

Authorities revealed that Tomanic, a naturalized citizen originally from Bosnia and Herzegovina, served with the notorious Zulfikar Special Unit during the 1990s. She participated in the “physical and psychological abuse” of Bosnian Serb civilian prisoners, actions that were part of a broader landscape of violence during the armed conflict in the region.

In her 2012 naturalization application, Tomanic denied having any involvement in the detention of individuals, falsely claiming she had not committed any crimes, including serious bodily harm. These allegations were brought to light during an interview with a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services officer, where she continued to misrepresent her past under oath.

“The defendant obtained the privileges of U.S. citizenship through lies and deceit, concealing the violent crimes she committed in Bosnia and Herzegovina,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti.

The implications of this case extend beyond Tomanic’s personal legal challenges. U.S. Attorney David X. Sullivan emphasized the importance of accountability in immigration matters, stating: “Covering up past human rights abuses to attain U.S. citizenship is an egregious offense.”

P.J. O’Brien, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the detrimental impact of such fraud on legitimate applicants. “Individuals who lie on their naturalization documents undermine the process for all who justly apply to be a part of our great nation,” he stated.

This case underscores the commitment of U.S. law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security’s Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center, to investigate and address such crimes rigorously. Their ongoing efforts are crucial to safeguarding the integrity of the immigration process.

As Tomanic awaits sentencing, her case raises important questions about the vetting processes in place for naturalization and the potential consequences for those who exploit these systems. The legal community and the public will be closely monitoring the developments surrounding her sentencing and any broader implications for immigration law enforcement.

Stay tuned for updates on this developing story as the case unfolds and the implications for the immigration system continue to be analyzed.