In a speech at the Economic Club of Detroit, President
Donald Trump announced that his administration will pursue measures to revoke
the U.S. citizenship of naturalized immigrants convicted of fraud against U.S.
citizens.
During his speech, Trump stated that the measure would be
part of an expansion of federal denaturalization initiatives, a legal mechanism
that allows for the review and, in certain cases, the revocation of citizenship
obtained through naturalization when it is proven to have been obtained
fraudulently or involved serious violations.
The president specifically stated that the policy would apply
to any naturalized citizen—"from Somalia or anywhere else," he
said—found guilty of defrauding Americans. The proposal suggests a more
aggressive approach to using existing legal tools to combat financial crimes.
Immigration law experts emphasize that denaturalization is a
complex procedure requiring judicial intervention and compelling evidence, and
warn that its widespread application could face legal and constitutional
challenges. They also point out that U.S. citizenship, once granted, comes with
strong legal protections.
The announcement is part of a broader policy aimed at
strengthening immigration control and increasing penalties for those who commit
crimes after obtaining citizenship. The proposal is expected to generate debate
in both Congress and the courts, particularly regarding its scope and legal
limitations.