WASHINGTON, D.C. — A Republican U.S. senator has introduced legislation that would make it easier for the federal government to revoke the citizenship of naturalized Americans convicted of serious crimes, large-scale fraud, or ties to terrorist organizations, reigniting debate over immigration and the permanence of citizenship.
Sen. Eric Schmitt of Missouri said the proposal, known as the Stop Citizenship Abuse and Misrepresentation Act, or SCAM Act, is aimed at protecting the integrity of American citizenship. He argued that recent criminal cases demonstrate weaknesses in current law.
“American citizenship is a privilege,” Schmitt said in a statement. He added that individuals who commit felony fraud, serious crimes, or align with terrorist groups after taking the oath of citizenship show they never met the standards required to become citizens in the first place.
Schmitt cited a major welfare fraud case in Minnesota involving naturalized citizens as a key example. According to a summary released with the bill, the case centered on a federally funded children’s nutrition program and resulted in charges or convictions against more than 70 defendants, many of whom were naturalized Americans. Prosecutors said at least $250 million was stolen, with funds allegedly used for luxury purchases or sent overseas through remittances.
The proposed legislation would broaden the grounds for initiating civil denaturalization proceedings. Those grounds would include committing major fraud against federal, state, or local welfare programs, affiliating with a designated foreign terrorist organization, committing aggravated felonies, or engaging in espionage.
The bill has backing from the White House. Stephen Miller, the White House deputy chief of staff for policy and homeland security adviser, described the Minnesota case as “one of the greatest financial scandals in American history.” He said immigrants who commit fraud against the United States should be denaturalized and deported.
The legislation argues that such conduct demonstrates a lack of good moral character at the time of naturalization and shows that the individual was not committed to the principles of the U.S. Constitution or the well-being of the country. Under the bill, criminal convictions or admissions within 10 years of naturalization could be treated as strong evidence that citizenship was obtained through concealment or misrepresentation, potentially leading to revocation and removal from the United States.
Several conservative immigration and policy groups have endorsed the proposal, saying it would strengthen national security and protect public funds. They have noted that denaturalization is a civil process that has long existed under U.S. law.
Critics in past debates have warned that expanding denaturalization authority could create fear and uncertainty within immigrant communities. They argue that citizenship should remain secure once granted, except in clear and narrowly defined cases of fraud.
Under current law, the government must meet a high legal standard to revoke citizenship, demonstrating that naturalization was illegal or obtained through willful misrepresentation.
Immigration and citizenship remain politically sensitive issues in Washington, and the SCAM Act is expected to draw close scrutiny in the United States and abroad, particularly in countries with large immigrant populations in America. (Source: IANS)
