US Seeks to Revoke Citizenship from Over 100 Individuals

Among those targeted is a Chinese-born resident of the state of Georgia who prosecutors say hid a prior deportation order and immigration history under a different identity before becoming a US citizen in 2006. Blanche said the Justice Department had “zero tolerance” for abuse of the naturalisation process, while Mullin said the Department of Homeland Security would use “every lawful avenue” to identify people who had fraudulently obtained citizenship. Shumate said the department would continue pursuing individuals who unlawfully procured naturalisation or concealed material facts during the process. The cases, filed in federal courts across the country, involve allegations ranging from child sexual abuse and drug trafficking to immigration fraud. The department said the lawsuits sought to revoke citizenship from individuals who either illegally procured naturalisation or obtained it through wilful misrepresentation. In response to a request for comment from the South China Morning Post, the Chinese embassy in Washington said it was not “aware of the specifics” of the case but advised Chinese citizens to adhere to local laws.