Trump Administration Considers Revoking Citizenship for Somali Americans
White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt has indicated that the Trump administration is looking into the potential denaturalization of Somali Americans who have been convicted of defrauding social service programs.
During a recent briefing, Levitt remarked that the issue of revoking citizenship for individuals involved in these fraudulent activities is “something that the Department of Homeland Security and the State Department are currently considering.”
Levitt’s comments follow growing public outrage concerning allegations of extensive fraud within the Somali community. This includes the “Feeding Our Future” scheme, where a Minnesota nonprofit organization reportedly misappropriated over $250 million in federal funds intended to support children during the pandemic. A total of 57 individuals have pleaded guilty or been convicted in relation to this scam.
Adding to the concern, independent journalist Nick Shirley disclosed findings of over $110 million in fraud tied to the Somali community in Minnesota. He visited various licensed child care centers in Minneapolis, discovering many of them were unattended, with locked doors and no signs of children, despite receiving significant public funding.
In response to these reports, the federal government has placed a freeze on all federal child care payments in Minnesota.
Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary at the Department of Homeland Security, noted, “Under U.S. law, when an individual obtains citizenship fraudulently, that is grounds for denaturalization.”
Earlier, President Trump expressed controversial views, stating that Somali immigrants should “go back to where they came from” and highlighting issues in their home country. He further remarked, “We don’t want trash coming into our country,” emphasizing concerns about immigration policies.
While denaturalization cases are uncommon, the current administration is investigating the means by which some Somali immigrants may have fraudulently acquired citizenship. This exploration opens a potential route toward denaturalization and even deportation.
David Bier, director of immigration research at the Cato Institute, explained, “The regime cannot unilaterally revoke someone’s citizenship. If a citizen can prove that they committed fraud to obtain citizenship, they can begin the process of asking a court to revoke their citizenship. It’s not easy, but it’s possible.”
In light of the situation, there are calls for amendments to existing laws to facilitate other avenues for deportation. House Republican Majority Whip Tom Emmer expressed a strong stance on the matter, stating, “When it comes to Somalis who have defrauded American taxpayers, I have three things to say: Bring them home. If they are here illegally, deport them immediately. If they are naturalized citizens, revoke their citizenship and then deport them quickly. If that requires changing the law, I will do it.”
