Immigration enforcement has become a hot topic in recent weeks. There have been efforts to detain and remove undocumented immigrants in large numbers. There are also discussions ongoing about ways to modify and improve legal immigration. The laws and policies that guide visas, asylum and even immigration enforcement are undergoing intense scrutiny.
One of the many possible changes that has made the news recently is a renewed focus on denaturalization. Typically, once an immigrant naturalizes, they have all the rights and protections of citizenship. They can live in the United States permanently without fear of removal.
However, should denaturalization policies take effect, some naturalized citizens could be at risk of removal from the country. Those who became naturalized citizens may worry about this proposed policy adjustment. When could denaturalization be a concern for naturalized citizens?
Fraud might lead to denaturalization
Only a portion of those with green cards ever become naturalized citizens. Some of them don’t qualify, and others find the process too intimidating to pursue it. The naturalization process is a lengthy one. Immigrants have to live in the country for years. They have to pass an extensive background check. They must attend an interview and pass tests about the English language and United States civics.
Typically, people become eligible for naturalization through employment or through relationships. In scenarios where immigration authorities can prove that fraud occurred, immigrants who have naturalized could be vulnerable to denaturalization.
Discussion about naturalization fraud often focuses on fraudulent marriages. If people marry solely for the purpose of securing a green card and then citizenship, their marriage-based immigration proceedings might be subject to scrutiny.
There may also be a reason for concern when people may have misrepresented their criminal record, used false identification or lied about their connection to certain international organizations. If there is evidence of an immigrant lying about their situation, they could be vulnerable. Thankfully, even in scenarios where people might be vulnerable to denaturalization efforts, they still have a right to defend themselves against removal from the United States.
Learning about the different rules that could apply to immigrants in different circumstances may help people protect themselves. Changes in immigration policy can influence the rights of immigrants in a variety of different circumstances. Thankfully, denaturalization is only a risk in a limited number of unusual cases.