DOJ Files Lawsuit to Denaturalize Convicted Child Sex Offender
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has initiated a civil lawsuit seeking to revoke the citizenship of a convicted child sex offender, as revealed in recent court documents.
Irwin Roberto Galindo became a U.S. citizen in January 2015. According to the DOJ, he was involved in sexually abusing minors, with allegations dating back to 1997 when the victims were as young as 11, and in 2009 with victims aged 14. He has a conviction from California for two counts of lewd or lascivious acts against a child, although more serious charges, including rape, were not pursued.
The lawsuit claims that Galindo misrepresented his criminal history during the naturalization process. The documents note, “Had Defendant disclosed his criminal conduct, it would have been clear that he was ineligible to naturalize.” When asked if he had ever committed a crime for which he was not arrested, he responded “no.” The records indicate he failed to mention the charges related to sex crimes against minors during his citizenship interview.
Attorney General Pam Bondi commented, stating, “The Department of Justice continues to strip citizenship from people who commit heinous crimes and cover them up during the naturalization process. American citizenship is a great and sacred privilege that must be earned in good faith.”
Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate added that Galindo “should never have been a U.S. citizen,” asserting that the administration will actively work to restore his citizenship status.
The current administration has been focusing on the denaturalization of individuals who fraudulently acquired their citizenship. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has been instructed to submit between 100 and 200 cases each month deemed as fraudulent through the fiscal year 2026.
In a January interview with the New York Times, President Donald Trump indicated he would consider denaturalizing Americans if they’ve been dishonest. This adds another layer to the ongoing discussions about the integrity of the naturalization process.
