Whip Emmer introduces SCAM Act to denaturalize fraudsters, terrorists, felons

WASHINGTON - As first reported by Fox News, House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) today introduced the Stop Citizenship Abuse and Misrepresentation (SCAM) Act to clarify what evidence the government can use when proving an individual did not meet the lawful requirements at the time of their naturalization. The bill creates a path to denaturalize anyone who, within 10 years of their naturalization, is convicted of fraud against the government, found to have joined or affiliated with a foreign terrorist organization, or is convicted of an aggravated felony or espionage. Read the bill text here.

Whip Emmer: "If you came to this country to harm and take advantage of the American people, I've got news for you: You're going home. Anyone who commits fraud against American taxpayers, affiliates with a terrorist organization, or commits an aggravated felony or espionage after becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen never met the requirements for naturalization in the first place and should be denaturalized and deported. It's common sense and the SCAM Act will make it law. This legislation not only holds Somali fraudsters in Minnesota accountable, but it restores long-overdue integrity to America's entire naturalization process. It's time to send them home."

Original cosponsors of the bill include Representatives Pete Stauber (R-Minn.), Michelle Fischbach (R-Minn.), Brad Finstad (R-Minn.), Chip Roy (R-Texas), Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.), Eli Crane (R-Ariz.), Brandon Gill (R-Texas), Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.), Mark Alford (R-Mo.), Ronny Jackson (R-Texas), Lance Gooden (R-Texas), Troy Nehls (R-Texas), Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), Jim Baird (R-Ind.), John McGuire (R-Va.), Randy Weber (R-Texas), Byron Donalds (R-Fla.), Mike Collins (R-Ga.), Mike Rogers (R-Ala.), Gary Palmer (R-Ala.), Beth Van Duyne (R-Texas), Roger Williams (R-Texas), Buddy Carter (R-Ga.), Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.), Mike Kennedy (R-Utah), Michael Guest (R-Miss.), Barry Moore (R-Ala.), Aaron Bean (R-Fla.), Wesley Hunt (R-Texas), Jimmy Patronis (R-Fla.), Brian Jack (R-Ga.), Addison McDowell (R-N.C.), Tim Moore (R-N.C.), John Rose (R-Tenn.), Keith Self (R-Texas), Mike Bost (R-Ill.), Ralph Norman (R-S.C.), Austin Scott (R-Ga.), Joe Wilson (R-S.C.), Jefferson Shreve (R-Ind.), Craig Goldman (R-Texas), and William Timmons (R-S.C.).

Groups supporting the bill include the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), Immigration Accountability Project, and National Immigration Center for Enforcement (NICE).

Here's what they are saying about the SCAM Act:

Joe Chatham, Director of Government Relations, Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR): "The Stop Citizenship Abuse and Misrepresentation Act would take bold steps to safeguard the American public from criminal exploitation, defend against national security threats, and ensure that the virtues of U.S. citizenship continue to be protected and preserved. Engaging in serious criminal conduct, fraud, or terrorist activity undermines those principles and warrants immediate, decisive action. FAIR commends Congressman Emmer for introducing this crucial legislation and urges its swift passage in the House."

Grant Newman, Director of Government Relations, Immigration Accountability Project: "The SCAM Act is a critical step toward restoring the integrity of the naturalization process. American citizenship is a privilege, yet for too long, bad actors have exploited it as a shield for criminal activity. This bill provides the tools needed to revoke that privilege from those who join transnational organized crime groups, defraud the government, or commit an aggravated felony within 10 years of their naturalization. Those actions prove they lacked the 'good moral character' and 'attachment to the Constitution' required of all new citizens. The Immigration Accountability Project applauds Whip Emmer and Senator Schmitt for introducing this important legislation."

RJ Hauman, President of the National Immigration Center for Enforcement (NICE): "The National Immigration Center for Enforcement (NICE) proudly supports the Stop Citizenship Abuse and Misrepresentation (SCAM) Act as a necessary measure to restore integrity to American citizenship. Naturalization is a sacred commitment to the United States-not an administrative loophole to exploit for personal gain. This bill correctly recognizes that committing substantial welfare fraud, joining drug cartels or terrorist organizations, or committing aggravated felonies shortly after naturalization is prima facie evidence that the statutory requirements of good moral character, attachment to constitutional principles, and being well disposed to the good order of the United States were never truly met. As scandals like the $250 million Feeding Our Future fraud demonstrate, a recalcitrant minority treats citizenship as a shield for criminal exploitation rather than a bond of allegiance. The SCAM Act ensures consequences for that abuse. We commend Senator Schmitt and Congressman Emmer for introducing this crucial legislation and urge its swift passage."

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