Trump DOJ Denaturalization Push Targets 17 Citizens Accused Of Serious Crimes
On Monday, June 8, 2026, the Justice Department said it is seeking to revoke the citizenship of 17 U.S. citizens accused of obtaining naturalization through immigration fraud as part of a Trump administration denaturalization push.[1]
DOJ said the 17 allegedly obtained naturalization by fraud or deception and that many lied under oath about past crimes, failing the "good moral character" requirement.[2] Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche called the action part of a "zero-tolerance policy" on abusing naturalization, and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said those who lie in immigration proceedings "forfeit" the privilege of citizenship.[2] DOJ described the group as ages 39 to 69 and originating from 13 countries across the Americas, Africa, Asia and a former Yugoslav state.[2] Officials said about 35% of the group are tied to alleged child sexual-abuse offenses, and DOJ also cited multimillion-dollar fraud schemes among the cases.[2] CBS correspondent Camilo Montoya-Galvez called the announcement the administration's largest denaturalization effort to date.[1]
CBS reported the administration described the action as an expansion of an ongoing denaturalization campaign aimed at people who obtained citizenship through fraud.[3] Earlier CBS coverage framed the push mainly as enforcement of immigration-fraud laws and as part of a legal process to strip improperly obtained citizenship.[4]
Mainstream coverage shifted in tone as the day progressed. CBS initially emphasized fraud and the legal mechanics of denaturalization, while later reporting from Fox highlighted disturbing alleged offenses — including child sexual abuse and large-scale financial frauds — which pushed the story into a more urgent, crime-focused frame.[4][2]
Show source details & analysis (4 sources)
📌 Key Facts
- On Monday, June 8, 2026, the Trump administration announced it is seeking to revoke the citizenship of 17 U.S. citizens accused of immigration fraud as part of an expanded denaturalization campaign (Trump administration).
- CBS correspondent Camilo Montoya-Galvez said the initiative is the Trump administration's largest denaturalization effort to date in a video segment aired at 1:14 PM Central (Camilo Montoya-Galvez).
- On Monday, June 8, 2026, the Department of Justice said the 17 individuals allegedly obtained naturalization through fraud or deception and that many lied under oath about past crimes, failing the 'good moral character' requirement (Department of Justice).
- On Monday, June 8, 2026, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche characterized the action as part of a 'zero-tolerance policy' on abusing the naturalization process, and DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said those who lie in immigration proceedings 'forfeit' the privilege of citizenship (Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche).
- DOJ described the group as largely middle-aged to older adults, ages 39 to 69, originating from 13 countries including Cuba, Haiti, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago, Mexico, Colombia, a former Yugoslav state, India, China, the Philippines, Somalia and Congo (ages 39 to 69).
- Officials said about 35% of the 17 individuals are tied to child sexual-abuse offenses — including statutory rape and receipt of explicit images of minors — and one case involves a Roman Catholic priest accused of grooming and abusing a child (child sexual-abuse offenses).
- DOJ cited multiple alleged fraud schemes among the 17, including a $54 million securities and wire fraud scheme, a $36.7 million fraudulent Blue Cross Blue Shield billing scheme run through fake physical-therapy clinics, use of inherited cartel-linked funds in real-estate deals, and theft of millions from a Florida tribal casino (a $54 million securities and wire fraud scheme).
- A CBS News video segment published at 10:38 AM Central reiterated that the administration is moving to revoke the citizenship of 17 people accused of fraud and other crimes, providing on-air explanation and context beyond the written pieces (CBS News video segment).
📰 Source Timeline (4)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- On Monday, June 8, 2026, DOJ said it is moving to revoke the citizenship of 17 individuals who allegedly obtained naturalization through fraud or deception, emphasizing that many lied under oath about past crimes and thus failed the 'good moral character' requirement.
- Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche framed the action as part of a 'zero-tolerance policy' on abusing the naturalization process, and DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said those who break U.S. laws and lie in immigration proceedings 'forfeit' the privilege of citizenship.
- DOJ described the group as largely middle-aged to older adults, ages 39 to 69, originating from 13 countries including Cuba, Haiti, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago, Mexico, Colombia, a former Yugoslav state, India, China, the Philippines, Somalia and Congo.
- Officials said about 35% of the 17 individuals are tied to child sexual-abuse offenses, including statutory rape and receipt of explicit images of minors, with one case involving a Roman Catholic priest accused of grooming and abusing a child.
- The article cites fraud-related cases among the 17, including an alleged $54 million securities and wire fraud scheme, a separate $36.7 million fraudulent Blue Cross Blue Shield billing scheme via fake physical therapy clinics, use of inherited cartel-linked funds in real-estate deals, and theft of millions from a Florida tribal casino.
- On Monday, June 8, 2026, the Trump administration publicly announced that it is seeking to revoke the citizenship of 17 U.S. citizens accused of immigration fraud, describing the effort as an expansion of its ongoing denaturalization campaign.
- CBS News aired a segment at 1:14 p.m. Central in which immigration correspondent Camilo Montoya-Galvez characterized the initiative as the Trump administration's largest denaturalization effort to date.
- The CBS video report reiterates that the 17 individuals are accused specifically of immigration fraud as the basis for the denaturalization push.
- The CBS News video segment, published Monday, June 8, 2026 at 10:38 a.m. Central, reiterates that the Trump administration is moving to revoke citizenship of 17 people accused of fraud and other crimes.
- The segment frames the enforcement as a denaturalization 'effort' by the Trump administration, with CBS correspondent Camilo Montoya-Galvez providing additional on-air explanation and context beyond the written piece already cited.