Full Breakdown
Trump Administration Launches Largest Denaturalization Push in Decades
6/12/2026, 1:51:43 AM
Denaturalization Initiative Targets 17 Naturalized Citizens
On Monday the Justice Department filed denaturalization complaints in federal courts against 17 foreign-born U.S. citizens, alleging they concealed crimes or other disqualifying facts when applying for naturalization.
Context and Scale
Denaturalization has been rare; between 1990 and 2017 the government averaged 11 cases per year. A 2025 policy shift broadened the categories of naturalized citizens eligible for revocation, making the current 17-case filing the largest effort in decades. The group includes 11 individuals from Latin America and the Caribbean, three from Asia, two from Africa, and one from Europe.
Who Is Targeted: Names, Countries, and Alleged Crimes
Leidys Delmas Garcia, Cuba; Andrea Marroquin, Colombia; Jean Claude Alfred, Haiti; Tahir Lekaj, Yugoslavia; Talman Harris, Jamaica; Armando Mendoza, Mexico; Neeraj Sharma, India; Federico Michel Fermin, Dominican Republic; Abdikadir Ali Kadiye, Somalia; Victor San Shing Kwok, China; Louise Hunkporti, Congo; Fernando Cristancho, Colombia; Ronnie Price, Trinidad & Tobago; Rodger George Gurdon, Jamaica; Jheromell Obejera Arcilla, Philippines; Milagros Marileisis Acosta Torres, Cuba; Maria Lourdes Montoya, Mexico.
They face accusations ranging from a $36 million health-care fraud scheme, wire-securities fraud, child sexual abuse, fraudulent H-1B visa petitions, money laundering, drug and identity fraud, and other serious crimes.
Implications of Revocation
If a court revokes citizenship, the person reverts to permanent-resident status, loses voting rights and protection from deportation, and may face removal. The sweep reflects a broader enforcement agenda linking naturalization to criminal conduct.
Official Statements & Government Rationale
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the Justice Department has a zero-tolerance policy on naturalization abuse and warned that “when criminal aliens exploit the naturalization process by breaking the law, there are consequences.” Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin called citizenship a privilege that must be earned honestly and said anyone who lies in immigration proceedings forfeits that privilege. Both cited the Immigration and Nationality Act as legal basis.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources vary in how they describe each person’s alleged wrongdoing, with some emphasizing financial fraud and others sexual abuse. No external criticism appears, leaving a gap in due-process perspectives.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Criminal aliens are lying about their past crimes, including drug dealers, sexual predators, and fraudsters.” — Todd Blanche, Acting Attorney General
- “When criminal aliens exploit the naturalization process by breaking the law, there are consequences,” — Todd Blanche, Acting Attorney General
- “American citizenship is a privilege, and it must be earned honestly. If you come here, break our laws, and lie in your immigration proceedings, you forfeit that privilege,” — Markwayne Mullin, Secretary of Homeland Security
- “This Department of Justice maintains a zero-tolerance policy for the abuse of this process.” — Todd Blanche, Acting Attorney General
What’s Next
A federal judge will decide each case; defendants may contest the evidence. If citizenship is revoked, they revert to permanent-resident status and may face removal. The Justice Department says denaturalization will remain a tool in its immigration-enforcement strategy.
