The administration of US President Donald Trump is actively considering a controversial move: stripping US citizenship from naturalised Somali-Americans in Minnesota who have been convicted of defrauding federal social service programmes. This potential action, known as denaturalisation, follows a massive $250 million fraud case involving childcare funds meant for needy children during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Massive Fraud Case and Political Response
Federal prosecutors have charged a total of 86 individuals with felonies for exploiting tax dollars intended to help hungry children. The investigation, originally initiated under the Biden administration, has so far seen more than 60 people plead guilty or be convicted. In a striking detail, 78 of those charged have been identified as Somali-Americans. Minnesota is home to roughly 80,000 Somali immigrants, the largest concentration in any US state, with most being naturalised citizens.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, in a December 31 interview on Fox News, confirmed the administration's willingness to use denaturalisation as a tool. "We're also not afraid to use denaturalization," Leavitt stated. When asked directly if President Trump wanted citizenship revoked for those convicted, she replied, "Absolutely." She added that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of State are currently examining the option.
On-the-Ground Investigations and Legal Precedent
The federal response has intensified on the ground. Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, speaking on a podcast on December 30, revealed that DHS investigators are going "door to door" at suspected fraud sites in Minnesota. The goal, she said, is to "follow the money" and ensure arrests, prosecutions, and ultimately removals. FBI Director Kash Patel also announced on December 28 that the agency had surged personnel to Minnesota to dismantle the large-scale fraud schemes.
However, stripping citizenship from naturalised Americans is a rare and extreme measure with a high legal bar. Final decisions rest with federal courts, not the administration. Denaturalisation can be pursued through civil proceedings or following a criminal conviction, typically on grounds of "illegal procurement of naturalization" or "concealment of a material fact." Data shows a spike in such cases under Trump's first term, with 168 filed, compared to 64 under Biden and an average of just 11 per year between 1990 and 2007.
Political Firestorm and Community Backlash
The administration's focus on the Somali community in Minnesota has ignited a fierce political and social backlash. Former President Trump himself has previously referred to Somali immigrants in the state as "garbage," drawing condemnation from immigrant rights advocates. They argue the fraud case is being used as a pretext to target a specific immigrant population.
Republican Congressman Tom Emmer, a close Trump ally from Minnesota, explicitly called for denaturalisation in a Facebook post on December 30. "I have three words regarding Somalis who have committed fraud against American taxpayers: Send them home," he wrote, advocating for deportation of illegal immigrants and revocation of citizenship for naturalised convicts. Democrats, including Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, have been blamed by Republicans for allowing the fraud to occur.
The tension escalated further with protests in Minneapolis on December 8, 2025, against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), amid reports of federal operations targeting the Somali community. As the legal proceedings continue, the debate over citizenship, punishment, and the targeting of an entire community remains deeply divisive in American politics.
