The Trump administration has started auditing immigration files of U.S. citizens of Somali origin to search for fraud that could lead to denaturalization, Homeland Security said. Denaturalization cases are rare, but the review has drawn criticism from advocates who say Somali communities are being unfairly targeted. The FBI has "surged" investigators to Minnesota, and HHS has frozen child-care payments to the state pending stricter documentation requirements.
U.S. Audits Immigration Files Of Somali‑Origin Citizens In Rare Denaturalization Review
An American flag sits in a thermostat at U.S. immigration court in Manhattan, in New York City, U.S., November 28, 2025. REUTERS/David 'Dee' Delgado
WASHINGTON, Dec. 30 — The Trump administration said on Tuesday it has begun auditing immigration records of U.S. citizens of Somali origin to look for evidence of fraud that could justify revoking their citizenship, a move officials said could lead to denaturalization.
"Under U.S. law, if an individual procures citizenship on a fraudulent basis, that is grounds for denaturalization," Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement first reported by Fox News and later reposted by the White House on social media.
Scope And Context
Denaturalization actions are uncommon and often take years to resolve. According to the Immigrant Legal Resource Center, roughly 11 cases were pursued per year from 1990 through 2017. Still, the administration said the audits are intended to root out fraud and protect the integrity of the immigration system.
Administration Policy And Reactions
Since taking office in January, President Donald Trump has pursued a hardline immigration agenda that includes intensified deportations, revocations of visas and green cards, and screening of immigrants' social media posts and past remarks. Human-rights groups and immigrant advocates have widely criticized these policies, arguing they erode due process and free-speech protections. Administration officials counter that the measures are intended to strengthen national security and prevent fraud.
Focus On Minnesota
Federal officials in recent weeks have highlighted Minnesota's Somali community as a focal point for alleged fraud involving millions of federal dollars intended for social services. Advocates for immigrants say the administration is using fraud investigations as a pretext to target Somali Americans more broadly.
FBI Director Kash Patel said the bureau has "surged" investigative resources and personnel to Minnesota in the latest phase of fraud probes affecting Somali immigrants in the state.
Separately, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced on Tuesday that it has frozen all child-care payments to Minnesota. HHS said that going forward, disbursements from the Administration for Children and Families nationwide "will require a justification and a receipt or photo evidence before we send money to a state."
This review comes amid broader federal scrutiny of how public funds are administered and whether migrants and service providers have misused benefits. Critics warn the actions risk stigmatizing entire communities and undermining trust between immigrant populations and public agencies.
(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Caitlin Webber and Michael Perry)
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