A new bill headed to Capitol Hill is looking to slam the door on naturalized Americans who allegedly gamed the system — and then kept on taking.
The proposal, set to be introduced by House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN), would strip citizenship from naturalized individuals convicted of fraud and other serious offenses, as scrutiny grows over widening allegations of fraudulent activity tied to Minnesota.
The bill is bluntly titled the “Stop Citizenship Abuse and Misrepresentation Act” — aka the SCAM Act — and it would clarify what evidence the federal government can use to prove someone didn’t meet lawful requirements at the time they became a U.S. citizen.
Under the legislation, the government could seek to denaturalize anyone who, within 10 years of naturalization, is convicted of fraud against the government, found to have joined or affiliated with a foreign terrorist organization, or convicted of an aggravated felony.
And Emmer’s message? No cushion. No confusion.
“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,” Emmer told Fox News. “Anyone who commits fraud against American taxpayers, affiliates with a terrorist organization, or commits an aggravated felony 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,” he added. “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.”
The bill lands as Minnesota faces intense scrutiny over a massive fraud scandal that has engulfed Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis’ Somali community — turning what was once a policy debate into a full-blown political firestorm.
More over at Fox News:
CITIZENSHIP CRACKDOWN: A Republican unveiled legislation to denaturalize Americans convicted of fraud against the government or serious crimes.
The proposal comes as Minnesota faces national scrutiny over a massive COVID-relief fraud scheme.https://t.co/pHgWDYfLXY
— Fox News (@FoxNews) January 16, 2026
