Additional Coverage:
The Department of Justice announced on Monday its intention to revoke the U.S. citizenship of 17 individuals who allegedly obtained naturalization through fraudulent means. These individuals, hailing from 13 different countries, face accusations of serious crimes, including child sexual abuse, drug trafficking, and large-scale financial fraud.
According to officials, nearly all of the accused lied during their naturalization process by denying any criminal conduct unknown to authorities. These false statements are said to have violated the federal requirement that applicants demonstrate “good moral character” to qualify for citizenship.
“Obtaining U.S. citizenship is a privilege, and under the leadership of President Trump, the Department of Justice enforces a zero-tolerance policy against abuse of this process,” stated Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin added, “American citizenship must be earned honestly. Those who break laws and lie during immigration proceedings forfeit this privilege.”
The individuals range in age from 39 to 69 and come from diverse regions including the Caribbean, North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Specifically, nine are from countries such as Cuba, Haiti, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago, and Mexico; two from Colombia; one from the former Yugoslavia; three from India, China, and the Philippines; and two from Somalia and Congo.
Many applicants were questioned under oath about prior criminal activity. Authorities assert that false responses during these interviews allowed their citizenship applications to be approved improperly.
Notably, child sexual abuse is the most common alleged offense, with six of the 17 accused involved in cases including statutory rape and possession of explicit material involving minors. One high-profile case involves a former Roman Catholic priest accused of exploiting his position to groom and abuse a child.
Financial fraud cases are also significant, with allegations including a $54 million securities and wire fraud scheme, $36.7 million in fraudulent medical claims to Blue Cross Blue Shield, and the use of drug cartel-linked inheritance funds for real estate purchases. Another individual allegedly stole millions from a Florida tribal casino.
Some individuals reportedly fabricated identities to evade immigration scrutiny. Four are charged with using false names, misrepresenting marital status, or reapplying under different identities after prior denials. One woman, denied citizenship in 1995, was later identified through digitized fingerprint records linking her current identity to her previous application.
This crackdown highlights the Justice Department’s ongoing efforts to uphold the integrity of the naturalization process by targeting those who seek citizenship through deception or criminal behavior.