A West Virginia woman originally from Bosnia and Herzegovina has pleaded guilty to federal charges after admitting she lied about her past in order to obtain U.S. citizenship. Prosecutors say her deception concealed serious human rights abuses committed during the Bosnian conflict, raising significant concerns about public safety and the integrity of the naturalization process.
A Violent Past Hidden During Naturalization
According to court records, 53-year-old Nada Radovan Tomanic previously served with the Zulfikar Special Unit of the Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the 1990s. During the region’s armed conflict, members of the unit—including Tomanic—participated in the physical and psychological abuse of Bosnian Serb civilians who were detained during the war. These acts constituted serious violations of human rights under Yugoslav-era criminal law.
When Tomanic applied for U.S. naturalization in 2012, she denied ever serving in a detention setting, denied involvement in the detention of others, and denied committing crimes for which she had not been arrested. Those answers were false. Prosecutors say she intentionally withheld her role in violence carried out during the conflict, all while trying to begin a new life in the United States.
Deceit During the Immigration Process
The deception did not stop with paperwork. During her naturalization interview with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Tomanic was placed under oath and required to answer truthfully. Instead, she repeated her false statements about her past service and her involvement in the abuse of civilian prisoners. These lies ultimately helped her secure the privileges and protections of U.S. citizenship—privileges the Justice Department now argues she obtained through fraud.
Federal officials emphasized that lying during the naturalization process undermines public trust, harms the integrity of the immigration system, and allows individuals with violent histories to avoid accountability. Investigators described Tomanic’s actions as particularly troubling because her past offenses targeted people based on ethnicity and religion.
Federal Charges and Potential Penalties
Tomanic pleaded guilty to one count of procuring citizenship contrary to law, a federal offense that carries a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison. A federal district judge will determine her sentence at a hearing scheduled for February 3, 2026. The court will consider sentencing guidelines and statutory factors when determining her punishment.
Cases like this often also lead to the initiation of denaturalization proceedings, though those actions occur separately from the criminal case. If citizenship is revoked, individuals can later face removal from the United States.
An International Investigation
The case was built through a broad, cross-border investigative effort. The FBI led the investigation in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security’s Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center, the International Human Rights Unit, and the Office of Fraud Detection and National Security. Authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia, along with the United Nations International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals, played key roles in providing historical records, legal assistance, and other evidence.
Prosecutors noted that many human rights violators attempt to enter the United States by concealing their pasts, making international cooperation essential for identifying individuals who participated in war crimes abroad before resettling in the U.S.
Protecting the Integrity of U.S. Citizenship
Federal officials said the case underscores the importance of thorough vetting in the naturalization process. They emphasized the government’s commitment to identifying individuals who attempt to hide human rights abuses or serious criminal histories during immigration proceedings.
Investigators encouraged members of the public with information about human rights violators living in the United States to contact the FBI or Homeland Security Investigations. Tips can be submitted through standard federal hotlines or online reporting tools.
As Tomanic awaits sentencing, her case serves as a renewed reminder of the long reach of accountability—and the vital role accurate information plays in safeguarding both the immigration system and public safety.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice
