Justice Department Seeks to Revoke Citizenship of 40 Naturalized Americans

<p>The Justice Department has filed lawsuits aiming to revoke the citizenship of 40 naturalized Americans, claiming they obtained that status unlawfully as part of a crackdown on immigration fraud.</p><p>The individuals targeted include people from China, Afghanistan, Egypt, Pakistan, Venezuela, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Mexico, according to the Justice Department. The cases involve allegations such as acting as an agent of the Chinese government, committing voluntary manslaughter, and various forms of fraud.</p><p>Attorney General Todd Blanche stated in a press release, "Today’s announcement marks the largest denaturalization effort in modern history. From an individual convicted of espionage to others convicted of sexual offenses against minors, these defendants concealed critical facts from the U.S. government and represent serious criminal offenders."</p><p>One individual involved in this denaturalization effort is 60-year-old Cuban-born Javier Marrero-Pando, who, according to the Justice Department, forced a man with special needs to perform sexual acts against his will in May 2020. In October 2020, Marrero-Pando allegedly provided false testimony under oath regarding his criminal history, which led immigration authorities to approve his naturalization application.</p><p>Marrero-Pando, residing in Georgia, was convicted of aggravated sodomy in June 2022 and received a life sentence, with all but 15 years suspended.</p><p>The federal government can seek a court order to revoke naturalized citizenship if it was obtained illegally or through the concealment of material facts or willful misrepresentation. Naturalized citizens may also face denaturalization if they affiliate with certain organizations, including the Communist Party or terrorist groups, within five years of obtaining citizenship.</p><p>Additionally, naturalized citizens may lose their status if they are discharged from the military under conditions other than honorable after obtaining citizenship based on military service, as outlined by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).</p><p>Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division stated, "Every single one of these individuals lied their way into U.S. citizenship. This administration will continue to pursue the largest denaturalization effort in department history to restore trust and integrity in U.S. citizenship. Our message is clear: the United States will not tolerate deception in the naturalization process."</p><p>Under previous administrations, federal authorities averaged 15 denaturalization cases per year, according to a Justice Department official who spoke to NBC News.</p><p>In April, the Trump administration identified 384 foreign-born Americans for potential denaturalization, as reported by The New York Times.</p>