Full Breakdown
Nada Radovan Tomanic Pleads Guilty to Lying for U.S. Citizenship
11/17/2025, 5:07:38 AM
Overview of the Case
Nada Radovan Tomanic, a 53-year-old naturalized U.S. citizen originally from Bosnia and Herzegovina, pleaded guilty on November 10, 2025, to federal charges for lying about her involvement in war crimes to obtain U.S. citizenship. Tomanic, who currently resides in West Virginia and previously lived in Hartford, Connecticut, served in the Zulfikar Special Unit of the Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina during the 1990s conflict, where she participated in the physical and psychological abuse of Bosnian Serb civilian prisoners.
Details of the Deception
During her application for U.S. naturalization in 2012, Tomanic falsely denied having served in a detention facility or being involved in any criminal activities, specifically denying the infliction of serious bodily harm, which is a violation under the Criminal Law of the Socialist Republic of Yugoslavia. Despite being under oath during her interview with a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officer, she reiterated these falsehoods.
Official Statements & Responses
Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti emphasized the seriousness of Tomanic's actions, stating, “The defendant obtained the privileges of U.S. citizenship through lies and deceit, concealing the violent crimes she committed in Bosnia and Herzegovina.” U.S. Attorney David X. Sullivan described her actions as "egregious," highlighting the importance of accountability for those who exploit the immigration system. FBI Special Agent in Charge P.J. O’Brien condemned Tomanic’s actions, noting that they undermine the integrity of the naturalization process for all legitimate applicants.
Investigative Collaboration
The investigation into Tomanic's case was a collaborative effort involving the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security’s Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center, and the USCIS Office of Fraud Detection and National Security. Authorities from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbian authorities, and the United Nations International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals also provided significant assistance.
Sentencing and Potential Consequences
Tomanic pleaded guilty to one count of procuring citizenship contrary to law, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. She is scheduled for sentencing on February 3, 2026. The conviction may also lead to the revocation of her U.S. citizenship in a separate legal process.
Criticism & Opposition
Critics of Tomanic's actions have underscored the broader implications of her case, arguing that individuals who lie on naturalization documents not only jeopardize their own legal status but also undermine the immigration process for those who apply honestly. The Justice Department has urged anyone with information about human rights violators in the U.S. to report it to the FBI or Homeland Security Investigations.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Covering up past human rights abuses to attain U.S. citizenship is an egregious offense, and I thank our law enforcement partners both her in the U.S. and in Bosnia and Herzegovina for investigating this matter to ensure that justice is done,” — U.S. Attorney David X. Sullivan
- “Tomanic’s admissions of fraud are detestable because of her history of targeting people based on their ethnicity and religion.” — FBI Special Agent in Charge P.J. O’Brien
- “The Department is fully committed to holding accountable those who exploit our immigration system and pose a threat to public safety.” — Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti
This case highlights the ongoing commitment of U.S. authorities to uphold the integrity of the immigration system and ensure that individuals with a history of human rights abuses are held accountable.
