Justice Department files record 40 cases to strip citizenship
The Justice Department says it has filed 40 cases in six weeks to strip U.S. citizenship from naturalized Americans convicted of serious crimes. Officials call it the largest such push in modern history. Critics warn it could leave people stateless and be used against political foes, and the cases still need a judge's ruling.
The Justice Department said Monday it filed 40 civil cases between Aug. 21 and Oct. 2 to take away the U.S. citizenship of naturalized Americans convicted of crimes. The cases were filed in 19 federal court districts.
"This is the largest denaturalization effort in modern history," said Attorney General Todd Blanche. Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate also praised the work. The department notes the claims are only allegations until a court rules.
The cases include serious crimes. One targets Jinchao Wei, a former U.S. Navy sailor convicted of spying for China and sentenced to 200 months in prison. Another names Ping Li, who the department says worked for China's Ministry of State Security. Others involve a voluntary manslaughter conviction, a sex crime and tax evasion. Al Jazeera reports the people came from countries including Mexico, Pakistan, China and Sierra Leone.
How it works: Under immigration law, the government can ask a federal judge to cancel citizenship that was obtained illegally or by hiding facts. Al Jazeera reports that most of the convictions in these cases came after the people took the citizenship oath.
The practice has a long history. The U.S. used it after World War II to remove war criminals who hid their past. It was also used against the activist Emma Goldman, Al Jazeera notes. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services set up an office to find such cases in 2018, the Washington Examiner reports. About 24.5 million naturalized citizens live in the U.S., according to the Migration Policy Institute.
Critics see risks. They say stripping citizenship could leave some people stateless, with no country to claim them. They also worry it could be turned on political critics. Some Republicans have called for stripping citizenship from New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Al Jazeera reports. The department says it is going after people who never should have become citizens.
The 40 people can fight the cases in court. A judge must decide each one.
What we know: The department filed 40 cases in six weeks, a record pace.
What we don't: How many judges will agree, and who could be targeted next.
Where outlets agree The Justice Department, Al Jazeera and the Washington Examiner all report that 40 denaturalization cases were filed in a roughly six-week span.
Where they differ The Justice Department says it is removing criminals who never should have become citizens, while critics warn the push could leave people stateless and be aimed at political foes.