Trump Administration to Denaturalize 17 Foreign-Born U.S. Citizens Accused of Fraud

The Trump administration announced Monday plans to denaturalize 17 foreign-born U.S. citizens who committed fraud to gain their citizenship.

Is denaturalization legal?

Yes, denaturalization is legal by federal law. The government is allowed to try to denaturalize foreign-born U.S. citizens who officials believe fraudulently gained their citizenship by concealing information, such as a criminal record, on their immigration applications.

What U.S. leaders are saying: 

• Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche: "Gaining U.S. citizenship is a privilege and under the steadfast leadership of President Trump, this Department of Justice maintains a zero-tolerance policy for the abuse of this process."

The Department of Justice announced it has filed denaturalization actions across multiple U.S. district courts against 17 individuals.

The 17 individuals have been listed on the DoJ website, with descriptions of their actions, which include sexual abuse of a minor, wire and bank fraud, and distributing drugs wholesale without a license.

“DHS will not stand idly by while Americans are harmed by criminals including sex offenders, perpetrators of fraud, and drug traffickers who have exploited our generosity and gamed our immigration system," said DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin. "We will continue to use every lawful avenue to denaturalize and remove aliens.”

Denaturalization powers have been hardly used by past presidents, with just 11 legal complaints filed to denaturalize citizens from 1990 to 2017.

The movement to denaturalize citizens is a part of a greater effort by the Trump administration to increase deportations and crack down on illegal immigration.

"Criminal aliens are lying about their past crimes, including drug dealers, sexual predators, and fraudsters," said Blanche. "Gaining U.S. citizenship is a privilege and under the steadfast leadership of President Trump, this Department of Justice maintains a zero-tolerance policy for the abuse of this process."

All cases filed are allegations only and must be seen by a judge before denaturalization can occur. The historically lengthy process is why many presidents have not enacted this power.

As these 17 individuals face allegations allowing for their denaturalization, the Trump administration continues to investigate individuals accused of immigration fraud.