The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed to the media on Tuesday (December 30) that it is reviewing immigration and naturalization cases involving immigrants from 19 countries of interest, including Somalia, to determine if anyone has obtained U.S. citizenship through fraudulent means, thus warranting the revocation of naturalization eligibility.
Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin of the Department of Homeland Security stated in a release to Fox News, “Under U.S. law, if an individual obtains citizenship through fraudulent means, it constitutes grounds for revocation of their citizenship.” The statement was later reposted by the White House on social media.
The focus of the review is on whether there has been any fraudulent activity during the immigration or naturalization process, such as marriage fraud or making false statements to gain legal status or citizenship.
This news comes at a time when Republican lawmakers are demanding stricter penalties for the ongoing daycare fraud scandal in the Somali community in Minnesota. The non-profit organization “Feeding Our Future” has allegedly swindled hundreds of millions of dollars in government aid under the pretext of COVID-19 nutrition assistance, considered one of the largest pandemic aid fraud cases in U.S. history.
Nearly a hundred individuals have been indicted, with a majority coming from the Somali community. According to census data, Minnesota is home to approximately 87,000 Somali residents, making it the state with the largest Somali population in the U.S.
FBI Director Kash Patel announced on Sunday (December 28) that additional investigative resources and personnel have been dispatched to the state to assist in probing fraud cases involving Somali immigrants. He stated that the $250 million fraud case is just the tip of the iceberg and that many suspects may face immigration officials for potential revocation of naturalization and deportation procedures.
Federal law enforcement agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, FBI, and ICE, are increasing personnel in Minneapolis to collaborate on investigating suspected fraud in childcare and medical facilities.
President Trump had announced on November 21 the immediate termination of temporary protected status for Somalis in Minnesota, citing threats from Somali gangs and unaccounted-for billions of dollars.
The Department of Homeland Security emphasizes that the revocation of citizenship must adhere to strict legal standards and is only applicable in specific circumstances.
The review covers cases associated with 19 countries identified as targets by the DHS, including Somalia. The DHS did not specify the number of cases currently under review or disclose whether any individuals have been referred for citizenship revocation proceedings.
Revoking citizenship involves a rare and rigorous legal process. Since the 1990s, the federal government has handled only a dozen to several dozen such cases annually.
Prosecutors must prove that citizenship was obtained by unlawful means, and the conviction for revoking citizenship requires a high burden of proof, often taking several years to litigate.
Meanwhile, the Department of Health and Human Services announced on Tuesday that it has taken action to freeze all childcare payments to Minnesota. The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) under HHS will now require states to provide reasons, receipts, or photo evidence before disbursing funds nationwide.
The Department of Homeland Security did not provide a review timeline or indicate if any cases disqualifying naturalization eligibility will proceed in the near future.
Immigrant rights advocates criticize the Trump administration for using the investigation of these fraud cases as a pretext to target Somali immigrants.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, a Democrat, argues that his state government has been combating fraud for years and accuses the Trump administration of politicizing the issue to cut funding for projects aiding Minnesota residents.