President Donald Trump declared on Wednesday that his administration plans to strip citizenship from any naturalized immigrant convicted of defrauding American citizens, including those from Somalia.
"We will also revoke the citizenship of any naturalized immigrant from Somalia, or anywhere else, who is found guilty of defrauding our citizens. We will remove them first, and if you come to the United States to steal from Americans, we will imprison you and send you back to where you came from," stated the president during his address at the Economic Club of Detroit.
This announcement bolsters the White House's "zero tolerance" immigration policy, aiming to punish immigration fraud and crimes committed by naturalized citizens with greater severity.
Trump firmly believes that "citizenship is a privilege, not a right," and those who break the law "will lose that privilege."
The president's remarks align with the recent tightening of denaturalization processes initiated in December by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This involved a comprehensive review of cases and a temporary halt on asylum, residency, and naturalization applications from citizens of 19 countries deemed high-risk, including Cuba, Venezuela, Somalia, and Haiti.
Labeled as part of a "war on fraud," these new measures have sparked concern among human rights organizations, which fear the revocation process could be politically motivated. The Trump administration maintains that its primary goal is to safeguard national security and ensure that "only the best" are granted American citizenship.
Understanding Trump's Immigration Policy Changes
What is the "zero tolerance" immigration policy?
The "zero tolerance" immigration policy refers to the Trump administration's strict enforcement of immigration laws, particularly targeting illegal entry and crimes committed by immigrants, including naturalized citizens.
Why are human rights organizations concerned about the new measures?
Human rights organizations are worried that the revocation of citizenship could be used for political purposes, potentially targeting specific groups or nationalities unjustly.
Which countries are affected by the tightened denaturalization processes?
Countries affected include those considered high-risk, such as Cuba, Venezuela, Somalia, and Haiti, among others.