Department of Justice Files Record Number of Denaturalization Cases
In an unprecedented development, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has initiated 25 denaturalization cases in just the past two weeks. These cases target individuals accused of immigration fraud, child-related sex offenses, and other serious crimes.
On Monday, the DOJ’s Office of Public Affairs disclosed that denaturalization actions were filed against 25 individuals under the Immigration and Nationality Act. This law permits the revocation of citizenship if it has been “illegally procured or obtained through concealment of material facts or willful misrepresentation.”
The essence of these cases revolves around claims that the individuals concealed criminal activities or provided false information during their naturalization.
“U.S. citizenship is among our nation’s most significant privileges, and it should be received legally and honestly,” stated Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. “The allegations put forth today contend that these individuals achieved naturalization through deception, including the concealment of violent crimes, sexual offenses against children, and fraudulent identities.”
“These filings represent the largest coordinated denaturalization efforts in Department history, but they are merely the beginning.”
The individuals involved come from a diverse range of 17 countries, including Pakistan, Moldova, India, Mexico, and Colombia, and their ages vary from 29 to 82 years.
Among them, several are accused of child sex crimes, identity fraud, and other alleged wrongdoing, with assertions of having hidden these actions during their citizenship process.
In an unusual case, the DOJ is aiming to annul two separate naturalizations of Mohd Wasif, a Pakistani national, also referred to as “Mohammad Khanwasif,” who is reported to be either 56 or 58 years old. Prosecutors allege he concealed fraudulent activities and lied in multiple naturalization processes.
Since President Donald Trump took office last year, the DOJ has filed 123 civil denaturalization complaints, marking “the most in recorded history.” Research cited by The Hill reveals that from 1990 to 2017, the average annual denaturalization cases filed by the U.S. government hovered around just 11.
