The Justice Department on Monday announced denaturalization actions against 17 people in U.S. district courts around the country, accusing them of concealing criminal histories when they applied for citizenship. The department cited the Immigration and Nationality Act, which allows revocation of citizenship if naturalization “was illegally procured or procured by concealment of a material fact or by willful misrepresentation.”
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said in a statement that the targeted individuals committed crimes including sexual abuse of a minor, wire and bank fraud, and drug distribution without a license. “When criminal aliens exploit the naturalization process by breaking the law, there are consequences,” Blanche said. “Criminal aliens are lying about their past crimes, including drug dealers, sexual predators, and fraudsters.”
President Donald Trump’s first actions after returning to the White House last year included signing an executive order aimed at expanding denaturalization of U.S. citizens. The Justice Department subsequently broadened the criteria for individuals prioritized for denaturalization proceedings.
Last month the department announced 12 new denaturalization cases. By comparison, the Justice Department opened 24 denaturalization cases during the entire Biden administration. The Trump administration has surpassed that total in a single year.