Trump's Denaturalization Push: 17 People Stripped of US Citizenship
The Department of Justice (DOJ) said Monday it was stripping United States citizenship from 17 people accused of serious offenses, including fraud and sexual abuse.
Under the Trump administration, the DOJ has sought to increase the number of denaturalizations, especially for individuals accused or convicted of serious crimes or who have lied on their citizenship applications. While critics have expressed concern that former immigrants will lose their American citizenship unfairly in order to achieve deportation goals, the White House has insisted it is simply enforcing rules that were more loosely applied in the past.
"When criminal aliens exploit the naturalization process by breaking the law, there are consequences,” acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said in a press release. “Criminal aliens are lying about their past crimes, including drug dealers, sexual predators, and fraudsters.
“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. We continue to work around the clock with our interagency partners to make sure U.S. citizenship is granted to those who truly deserve it."
Which People Had Their US Citizenship Revoked?
The DOJ released a list of 17 individuals who were set to have their U.S. citizenship revoked, along with brief explanations of why. Some have been convicted of offenses, while others face charges relating to various alleged offenses.
| Name | Nationality | Alleged Offenses |
|---|---|---|
| Leidys Delmas Garcia | Cuba | Health care fraud conspiracy (fraudulent physical therapy billing scheme) |
| Jean Claude Alfred | Haiti | Sexual abuse of a minor; attempted sexual battery; immigration fraud via concealment |
| Andrea Marroquin | Colombia | Wire fraud, bank fraud, and money laundering tied to drug proceeds |
| Maria Lourdes Montoya | Mexico | Immigration fraud (misrepresentation of marital identity to obtain citizenship) |
| Tahir Lekaj | Yugoslavia | Sexual abuse of a child; concealment during naturalization |
| Talman Harris | Jamaica | Securities fraud and wire fraud conspiracy (stock manipulation scheme) |
| Armando Mendoza | Mexico | Receipt of child sexual abuse material; false statements in naturalization |
| Neeraj Sharma | India | Visa fraud (fraudulent H-1B petitions, misuse of visas) |
| Federico Michel Fermin | Dominican Republic | Conspiracy to distribute prescription drugs without a license |
| Abdikadir Ali Kadiye | Somalia | Immigration fraud (use of multiple identities for admission) |
| Victor San Shing Kwok | People's Republic of China | Immigration fraud (identity concealment, failure to disclose prior denial/removal order) |
| Louise Hunkporti | Congo | Immigration fraud (use of false identity and misrepresentation in applications) |
| Fernando Cristancho | Colombia | Sexual abuse of a minor; coercion and enticement |
| Ronnie Price | Trinidad and Tobago | Statutory rape; false statements during naturalization |
| Rodger George Gurdon | Jamaica | Theft and resale of military medical products; drug distribution conspiracy |
| Jheromell Obejera Arcilla | Philippines | Sexual abuse of a minor; false statements in naturalization |
| Milagros Marileisis Acosta Torres | Cuba | Fraud and money laundering (casino scheme proceeds) |
This is a breaking news story. Updates to follow.
2026 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
This story was originally published June 8, 2026 at 10:25 AM.