Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., on Thursday renewed his push for legislation to expand the denaturalization process for people who commit fraud, serious felonies or join terrorist organizations.
Schmitt brought up his legislation, the Stop Citizenship Abuse and Misrepresentation (SCAM) Act, after a naturalized citizen originally from Lebanon allegedly rammed his vehicle into a Michigan synagogue and a naturalized citizen originally from Sierra Leone allegedly opened fire at Old Dominion University in separate incidents on Thursday.
What the Right Is Saying
Schmitt argued that American citizenship is a privilege, not a right, and those who commit serious crimes after naturalization should lose that status.
After the SAVE America Act, we must pass the SCAM Act so we can denaturalize and deport those who are here to hurt Americans, Schmitt wrote on social media. We must denaturalize those who shouldn't be here.
The senator originally introduced the SCAM Act in January in response to allegations of fraud by Somalians in Minnesota. He stated at the time that people who commit felony fraud, serious felonies, or join terrorist organizations shortly after taking their citizenship oaths fail to uphold the basic standards of citizenship.
Schmitt has argued that individuals must demonstrate sincere attachment to the Constitution, upstanding moral character, and a commitment to the happiness and good order of the United States. He contends those who fail these standards have proven they never met the requirements for American citizenship.
What the Left Is Saying
Democratic lawmakers and immigration advocates have raised concerns about the constitutionality of denaturalization efforts. Critics argue that citizenship revocation could violate due process rights and potentially target naturalized citizens based on their country of origin or religion.
Earlier this year, Democrats opposed the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which would require voters in federal elections to prove citizenship. The White House has indicated concerns about policies that could disenfranchise legitimate voters.
Progressive groups have argued that focusing on naturalized citizens as a category ignores the broader context of violence prevention and mental health resources, potentially stigmatizing immigrants who have gone through legitimate citizenship processes.
What the Numbers Show
In the Michigan incident, Ayman Mohamad Ghazali, 41, arrived in the U.S. 15 years ago on an immediate relative visa as the spouse of a U.S. citizen and was granted citizenship in 2016, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
In the Virginia shooting, Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, 36, served in the Virginia National Guard from 2009 until receiving an honorable discharge in 2015. He was previously convicted of attempting to offer material support to the Islamic State.
In an earlier incident this month, a shooting outside a bar in Austin, Texas, was carried out by Ndiaga Diagne, 53, a naturalized citizen born in Senegal. That incident left three people dead and more than a dozen wounded.
The SCAM Act would expand denaturalization procedures for individuals who commit fraud, serious felonies, or join terrorist organizations.
The Bottom Line
Schmitt is using recent violent incidents involving naturalized citizens to renew pressure for his denaturalization legislation. The bill faces potential constitutional challenges, particularly regarding due process rights and the Fourteenth Amendment's protection of citizenship. Democrats have opposed related citizenship verification measures, arguing they could disenfranchise legitimate voters. The SCAM Act would need to overcome significant procedural and legal hurdles to advance in Congress, where similar legislation has faced opposition.