Full Breakdown
Trump Administration Files Denaturalization Actions Against Ten Naturalized Citizens
7/21/2026, 11:47:14 PM
Core Event
The Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice announced civil denaturalization complaints against ten naturalized U.S. citizens accused of crimes ranging from Medicare fraud to child sexual abuse and drug trafficking. The filings, released in July 2026, target individuals originally from Mexico, Cuba, Pakistan, Peru and Poland. If successful, the government will seek to revoke their citizenship and expose them to deportation.
Background & Context
Denaturalization—revoking citizenship after naturalization—has historically been rare. From 1990 through 2017, an average of about 11 cases were initiated each year, according to the Brennan Center for Justice. Under the Trump administration, the process has been accelerated to target alleged fraud or concealment of material facts.
Data & Statistics
- New filings: 10 cases announced in July 2026.
- Historical average: ~11 denaturalization actions per year (1990-2017).
- Alleged fraud amount: Yoskmaikel Rodriguez Perez is accused of concealing a Medicare fraud scheme that generated more than $886,000 in false claims.
- Criminal categories: health-care fraud, wire fraud, immigration fraud, child sexual abuse, and cocaine trafficking.
Official Statements & Responses
Assistant Attorney General Brett A. emphasized that “when you commit fraud during the naturalization process, you forfeit the right to keep your U.S. citizenship.” DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin added that the ten individuals “lied their way into U.S. citizenship.” Acting attorney General Todd Blanche said each lacked the good moral character required by law.
Timeline
- June 15 2026: Filing alleges Mexican native Omar Cantu-Montalvo concealed a 2016 cocaine-trafficking conspiracy when applying for naturalization.
- July 6 2026: Polish native Marcin Stanislaw Garbacz faces denaturalization after a filing cites his 2022 conviction on 65 counts of theft and illicit sexual conduct.
- July 10 2026: A filing details sexual abuse by a Mexican priest at Sacred Heart Shrine.
- July 18 2026: DHS reiterates its commitment to denaturalize fraudsters, referencing the Medicare fraud case of Yoskmaikel Rodriguez Perez.
Who Is Targeted
- Yoskmaikel Rodriguez Perez – Cuba; concealed $886,000 Medicare fraud.
- Ceflo Luviano-Mojica – Mexico; denied prior arrests on his naturalization application.
- Urbano Vazquez Ortega – Mexico; former priest convicted of multiple counts of child sexual abuse.
- Antonio Alcantara-Ruiz – Mexico; used another person’s identity to obtain citizenship.
- Omar Cantu-Montalvo – Mexico; pleaded guilty to a cocaine-trafficking conspiracy before his 2005 naturalization.
- Franscisco Montano – Mexico; convicted of aggravated sexual assault and indecency with a child before his 1997 naturalization.
- Marcin Stanislaw Garbacz – Poland; former priest convicted of wire fraud, tax offenses and illicit sexual conduct abroad.
- Martin Garcia Cardiel – Mexico; convicted of 19 counts of aggravated sexual abuse of children before his 2011 naturalization.
- Murtaza Ali – Pakistan; obtained immigration benefits under multiple aliases and pleaded guilty to false statements.
- Jimmy Aguero – Peru; convicted on eight counts related to sexual abuse of his minor stepdaughter.
These actions illustrate the administration’s intensified use of denaturalization to address alleged fraud and serious criminal conduct among naturalized citizens.
