UPDATE: A former Connecticut woman, Nada Radovan Tomanic, has just pleaded guilty to lying about her involvement in war crimes to secure U.S. citizenship. This shocking admission came during a federal court hearing in Bridgeport, where Tomanic, now 53 and residing in West Virginia, accepted a plea deal on Monday.
Tomanic faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, with her sentencing scheduled for February 3, 2024. Federal authorities stated that she served with the notorious Zulfikar Special Unit during the Bosnian War in the 1990s, where she participated in the abuse of Bosnian Serb prisoners.
In her 2012 naturalization application, Tomanic falsely claimed she had no involvement in detention facilities or any criminal conduct, despite her history of violence. “The defendant obtained the privileges of U.S. citizenship through lies and deceit,” declared Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.
“Covering up past human rights abuses to attain U.S. citizenship is an egregious offense,” said U.S. Attorney David X. Sullivan. “Individuals who lie on their naturalization documents undermine the process for all who justly apply to be a part of our great nation.”
During her interview with a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services officer, Tomanic again misrepresented her service and past crimes while under oath. Her actions have raised alarms about the integrity of the U.S. immigration system.
P.J. O’Brien, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI, emphasized the seriousness of Tomanic’s admissions, pointing out that her fraudulent application not only betrays trust but also poses a threat to public safety. “The FBI, alongside our partners at the Department of Homeland Security, will continue to investigate such crimes to ensure the sanctity of the immigration process,” O’Brien stated.
This case underscores a growing concern about individuals exploiting immigration systems in the U.S. and highlights the commitment of federal authorities to hold accountable those who threaten national security. As this story develops, it raises critical questions about the vetting process for naturalization and the ongoing efforts to uphold justice for victims of war crimes.
Stay tuned for updates as sentencing approaches and further investigations unfold surrounding Tomanic’s past actions and the broader implications for U.S. immigration policy.
