The Trump administration on Friday announced a major expansion of its denaturalization campaign, targeting foreign-born American citizens accused of fraudulently obtaining U.S. citizenship. At least 2,500 U.S. citizens, many of whom immigrated as refugees, are now under investigation, sparking concerns among advocacy groups and lawmakers.
The campaign, which began in 2017, aims to strip individuals of their American citizenship for allegedly providing false information on their citizenship applications, including lying about past crimes or associations with terrorist organizations. According to officials, these individuals had used fake identities or lied about their connections to terrorist groups.
High-Profile Targets
Among the notable targets is Mohammed T. Alshamrani, a Saudi Arabian national who gained U.S. citizenship in 2015. Alshamrani allegedly provided false information on his application, claiming he had no connections to terrorist organizations, despite reports linking him to the Saudi government and extremist groups.
Another high-profile target is Rasmi Ahmed Al Khabouri, a Kuwaiti national who gained U.S. citizenship in 2002. Al Khabouri allegedly lied about his involvement with the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, a designated terrorist group. His case is now under review by the Department of Justice.
Criticism from Advocacy Groups
The expanded denaturalization campaign has sparked intense criticism from advocacy groups, who argue that the procedure is unfair and targets vulnerable communities. “This is a draconian and unconstitutional measure that disregards the rights of American citizens,” said Angela Kelley, executive director of the advocacy group, the Center for American Progress.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has also expressed concerns, stating that the procedure is often used to target individuals based on their immigration status rather than their actual actions. “The Trump administration is using denaturalization as a tool to punish people for their immigration status, rather than their actual wrongdoing,” said Neema Gulmohamad, a staff attorney at the ACLU.
Lawmakers have also weighed in, with some calling for greater transparency and accountability in the denaturalization process. “We need to ensure that this process is fair and just, and that it doesn’t unfairly target certain communities,” said Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), a leading critic of the administration’s immigration policies.
The expanded denaturalization campaign is the latest move in the Trump administration’s efforts to crack down on immigration and national security concerns. Critics argue that the policy is part of a broader agenda to target vulnerable communities and erode the rights of American citizens.
