Rep. Van Duyne Introduces GTFO Act to Denaturalize Convicted Terrorists and FTO Supporters

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Representative Beth Van Duyne (TX-24) introduced the Getting Terrorist Fanatics Out (GTFO) Act, following the dual terrorist attacks of March 12, 2026 at Old Dominion University and Temple Israel in West Bloomfield Township, Michigan as well as numerous documented instances of naturalized citizens working with violent, international cartels, designated in 2025 by the Trump Administration as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs). The bill would require the denaturalization of any naturalized citizen convicted of terrorist offenses, including planning or committing terrorist acts, or participating in crimes in coordination with known FTOs.

On March 12, 2026, a deadly terrorist attack occurred at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. The assailant, 36-year-old Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, a former Army National Guardsman with known ties to ISIS, opened fire on an ROTC class, fatally shooting instructor Lt. Col. Brandon Shah. Jalloh was subdued and killed by heroic ROTC cadets. Approximately two hours later, a Hezbollah-inspired terrorist attack occurred at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, Michigan. The assailant, 41-year-old Ayman Mohamad Ghazali, rammed a pickup truck into the synagogue while over 100 children were inside. He was confronted by synagogue security and died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

"When naturalized citizens are convicted of terrorism or supporting groups that kill Americans, they have forfeited their right to citizenship - we should have zero tolerance for these individuals," said Rep. Beth Van Duyne. "The GTFO Act requires courts to include mandatory denaturalization in sentencing, ensuring that those who use American citizenship to undermine our safety, poison our communities, and kill our citizens can never hide behind it again."

U.S. Representatives Ronny Jackson (TX-13), Greg Steube (FL-17), and Brandon Gill (TX-26) joined Representative Beth Van Duyne in introducing the bill.

Background:
President Trump initiated the designation of Mexican cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) on January 20, 2025, and the official State Department designations went into effect on February 20, 2025. The broad administration crackdown targeted several dominant Mexican cartels and regional alliances: Sinaloa Cartel (Cártel de Sinaloa); Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG); Gulf Cartel (Cártel del Golfo); Northeast Cartel / Los Zetas (Cártel del Noreste); La Nueva Familia Michoacana; United Cartels; and simultaneously designated additional Latin American gangs active across the borders, including MS-13 and Venezuela's Tren de Aragua.

Mexican cartels often choose to work with naturalized citizens who maintain deep ties to these foreign FTOs while possessing the full legal rights and benefits conferred by American citizenship. Recent prominent cases include naturalized citizen Julio Cesar Orozco-Gomez, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2025 for running a multi-state drug ring directly linked to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).

Summary:
By amending 18 U.S.C. § 2339A and 18 U.S.C. § 2339B dealing with providing material support to terrorist groups, the bill will void the certificate of naturalization of any naturalized U.S. citizen convicted by a U.S. court of providing support, training, or assistance to terrorists or designated FTOs, resulting in their citizenship being revoked. American citizenship should not be used as a shield by a naturalized citizen who pledged allegiance to the United States but uses that privilege to commit or support terrorism against our homeland.

EXCLUSIVE: The Daily Signal first reported on this story. Read that story HERE.

Click HERE to read the full bill text.

###