The Department of Homeland Security has moved to strip U.S. citizenship from 40 naturalized citizens convicted of crimes.
"Today’s announcement marks the largest denaturalization effort in modern history,"
U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche said in a statement announcing the denaturalization crackdown. "From an individual convicted of espionage to others convicted of sexual offenses against minors, these defendants concealed critical facts from the U.S. government and represent serious criminal offenders."
However, as reported by USA TODAY, not all of the 40 people against whom denaturalization has been filed have been convicted of or pleaded guilty to violent crimes. At least 19 of the 40 people faced denaturalization proceedings for reasons related to accusations of lying on visa forms.
Also, according to USA TODAY, the announcement marks the greatest number of attempted denaturalizations seen in recent years and amounts to more than the past several years combined.
Here's what to know in North Carolina.
DOJ memo about denaturalization of 40 people
A memo issued by the U.S. Department of Justice on Oct. 5 announced that the department had filed denaturalization actions in multiple U.S. district courts against 40 individuals "accused of serious offenses." The offenses mentioned included "acting as an agent for a foreign government, committing voluntary manslaughter" and "aggravated sodomy against a special‑needs man."
Where are the denaturalized people from?
Of the individuals against whom denaturalization has been filed, 11 originate from Mexico, four each from Pakistan and China, two each from Egypt, Nigeria, the Philippines and Ghana, one each from Cameroon, Colombia, Cuba, India, Peru, Sierra Leone, Venezuela, the United Kingdom, Cambodia and Haiti, and one from a country listed as unknown by the DOJ.
Complaints were filed in Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Maryland, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and the District of Columbia.
What does it mean to be a naturalized citizen of the U.S.?
Naturalized citizens of the U.S. are people born outside of the country who are granted lawful permanent residentship in the U.S. Naturalization is granted after meeting the requirements established by Congress in the Immigration and Nationality Act.
How do you become a naturalized U.S. citizen?
According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, basic qualifications for naturalization include being at least 18 years old and having been a permanent resident in the U.S. for at least five years, or three years if married to a U.S. citizen.
Applicants must complete several forms, pay at least $710-760 in required fees and complete a naturalization interview and often a naturalization test composed of an English language section and civics section. Following this process, the applicant swears an Oath of Allegiance to the U.S. during a naturalization ceremony.
How many naturalized citizens live in North Carolina?
According to a 2024 report from the N.C. Office of State Budget and Management, an estimated 42% of N.C.'s foreign-born population were naturalized citizens - roughly 364,560 people.
How many undocumented immigrants live in North Carolina?
The same N.C. OSBM report noted that roughly 37% of the state's foreign-born population were not authorized to live in the U.S. - roughly 321,160 people.
Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at iseaton@citizentimes.com.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: DOJ moves to strip citizenship from 40 people. What to know in NC
