see also: in July 2008:   CBP Discovers 2.7 Tons of Marijuana on Cargo Box Truck   Holiday Travel Reminder for Northwest Border Crossers   Current, Former CBP Employees Assist in Arrest of Purse Snatchers   CBP Officers Arrest Man Wanted for Failure to Register as Sex Offender   California SENTRI Participant in Hot Water, CBP Finds Dope in Vehicle   CBP Officers Arrest Man Wanted for Aggravated Sexual Assault on Minor   CBP Revokes Trusted Traveler Privileges After Finding Prohibited Items During Inspection ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

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Buffalo, N.Y. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection field operations announced the arrest of a citizen of Zambia who made a false claim to U.S. citizenship.

On July 24, CBP officers encountered a male claiming to be 21-year-old Sebastyen Morga, as he applied for admission into the United States at the Peace Bridge border crossing in Buffalo, N.Y. The subject presented a State of Georgia driver’s license as proof of identity and claimed to be a U.S. citizen.

The subject advised the CBP officer that he was attempting to enter Canada to visit a friend in Toronto, but was refused admission due to insufficient entry documentation. The subject was then asked by the CBP officer for documentary proof of his U.S. citizenship. He advised the CBP officer that he only had in his possession his Georgia driver’s license and stated that he thought it was sufficient documentation to cross the U.S./Canada border. It was explained to the subject that a driver’s license was merely an identity document and was by no means proof of citizenship. Additional questioning revealed inconsistencies in the subject’s story and he was then referred to secondary inspection for verification of his immigration status.

During the course of the secondary interview, the subject again stated that he was a United States citizen and attended school in Georgia through the 12th grade. However, he was unable to answer routine questions nor could he sign his name. After further questioning, the subject recanted his claim to U.S. citizenship and advised CBP that his true identity was that of Bupe Mulumba, 31-year-old citizen of Zambia.

A search of the Mulumba’s vehicle revealed his Zambia passport hidden in a box concealed under the driver’s seat. CBP officers then queried Mulumba’s fingerprints, which revealed that he had entered the United States legally as a visitor in Atlanta, Ga., in October of 2006. Mulumba was authorized to remain in the United States until February 2006, but failed to depart the country as required. Mulumba claims he has been living and working illegally in Georgia.

As Mulumba willfully represented himself as a citizen of the United States, he was arrested by CBP officers for false personation, fraud and false statements. Mulumba is being held in Niagara County jail pending prosecution by the U.S. Attorney’s Western District of New York Office.

“Since January 31, CBP requires travelers to present documentary proof of their citizenship,” said James T. Engleman, CBP director of field operations for the Buffalo Field Office. “CBP has always had the legal authority to request documentary proof of citizenship, and this case is an excellent example of why our regulations changed.”

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.