The Department of Justice announced Monday that it is moving to revoke the citizenship of 17 individuals who allegedly obtained naturalization through fraud or deception.The individuals, from 13 different countries, are accused of serious criminal conduct, including child sexual abuse, narcotics trafficking and large-scale financial fraud.Nearly all of the individuals reportedly lied during the naturalization process, claiming that they did not commit any crimes the authorities were unaware of, claims that were later found to be untrue or misleading.By making false statements, officials argue that they failed to meet the statutory "good moral character" requirement for U.S.
citizenship under federal law."Gaining U.S.citizenship is a privilege and under the steadfast leadership of President Trump, this Department of Justice maintains a zero-tolerance policy for the abuse of this process," Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said in a statement.TRUMP DOJ ESCALATES CITIZENSHIP CRACKDOWN ON GROUP ACCUSED OF HIDING TERROR TIES, VIOLENT CRIMESA banner featuring an image of President Donald Trump is displayed on the facade of the U.S.
Department of Justice headquarters in Washington, D.C., on Feb.20, 2026.
(Drew Angerer/AFP/Getty Image)"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," DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin added.According to the release, the accused individuals are overwhelmingly middle-aged to senior adults, ranging in age from 39 to 69, and originate from 13 countries across the globe.Nine were from the Caribbean and North America, including Cuba, Haiti, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago and Mexico.
Two were from Colombia in South America.One was from former Yugoslavia in Europe.
Three were from Asia, including India, China and the Philippines, and two were from Africa, including Somalia and the Congo.Officials said m...