Washington, Jan 20 (NationPress) A senator in the United States has proposed a bill aimed at simplifying the process for the government to strip naturalized Americans of their citizenship if they are found guilty of serious crimes, large-scale fraud, or connections to terrorist organizations.

Republican Senator Eric Schmitt from Missouri emphasized that this legislation is essential to safeguard the integrity of American citizenship. The proposed bill is named the Stop Citizenship Abuse and Misrepresentation, or SCAM, Act.

Senator Schmitt pointed out that recent fraud cases demonstrate that the existing framework is insufficient. He highlighted a significant welfare fraud incident in Minnesota involving naturalized citizens, arguing that individuals who engage in serious criminal activities post-naturalization indicate that they never truly earned their citizenship.

“American citizenship is a privilege,” Schmitt remarked in a statement. He asserted that those involved in felony fraud, severe crimes, or affiliations with terrorist entities do not fulfill the fundamental criteria for citizenship and should be denaturalized for failing to meet the legal standards originally.

The SCAM Act intends to broaden the reasons for initiating civil denaturalization proceedings. This includes engaging in significant fraud against federal, state, or local welfare initiatives, associating with designated foreign terrorist organizations, or committing aggravated felonies and espionage.

The White House supports the bill, with Stephen Miller, the deputy chief of staff for policy and homeland security adviser, referring to the Minnesota incident as “one of the greatest financial scandals in American history.” He argued that immigrants who commit fraud against the United States should face denaturalization and deportation.

A summary accompanying the bill disclosed that the Minnesota case involved a federally funded children’s nutrition program, resulting in over 70 defendants facing charges or convictions, many of whom were naturalized citizens. Prosecutors estimated that at least $250 million was misappropriated, with funds being used for luxury purchases or remitted overseas.

The legislation contends that such actions demonstrate a lack of good moral character at the time of naturalization and suggest that these individuals were not committed to the principles of the US Constitution or the welfare of the country.

According to the bill, any criminal convictions or admissions occurring within 10 years of naturalization may serve as compelling evidence that citizenship was obtained through deceit or misrepresentation. This could ultimately lead to the revocation of citizenship and removal from the country.

The proposal has garnered support from several conservative immigration and policy organizations. They argue that the bill would enhance national security and safeguard public funds, asserting that denaturalization is a civil procedure permissible under US law.

However, critics have cautioned that expanding denaturalization powers could instill fear within immigrant communities, arguing that once citizenship is granted, it should not be easily challenged except in clear instances of fraud.

Current law requires the government to meet a stringent legal standard to revoke citizenship, demonstrating that naturalization was unlawful or achieved through intentional misrepresentation.

Immigration and citizenship issues remain contentious in Washington. Proposals such as the SCAM Act are expected to attract significant attention domestically and internationally, particularly from countries like India, which have substantial immigrant populations in the United States.