SCAM Act
Senate Bill Proposes Stripping Citizenship from Naturalized Citizens Convicted of Fraud or Terrorism
Legislative Progress
Key Points
- This bill, introduced by Senator Schmitt, would make it easier for the government to take away the citizenship of people who became U.S. citizens through naturalization. It targets individuals who commit certain crimes or join specific groups within 10 years of becoming citizens, arguing these actions prove they lied during their application.
- Under this plan, a person could lose their citizenship if they join or help a foreign terrorist organization within 10 years of naturalization. It also applies to those convicted of stealing $10,000 or more from government programs, like Social Security or local aid, or those who commit serious crimes like spying or aggravated felonies.
- If citizenship is revoked, it is treated as if the person was never a citizen at all. This change is retroactive, meaning the person loses all rights and benefits of being an American immediately. They would also face fast-tracked deportation from the country, regardless of how long they have lived in the United States since naturalizing.
- The bill claims that committing these crimes within 10 years is proof that the person did not actually have the 'good moral character' required to become a citizen in the first place. If a court decides the 10-year rule is too long, the bill includes a backup plan to apply these rules to anyone who commits these acts within 5 years.
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
Life & Work
This bill directly targets naturalized citizens by creating new grounds to strip their citizenship. If a naturalized citizen is convicted of defrauding a government program of $10,000+, commits an aggravated felony or espionage offense, or associates with a designated foreign terrorist organization within 10 years of naturalization, the government can use that as automatic evidence that the person never had the good moral character required to become a citizen. Their citizenship would be revoked retroactively — as if they were never a citizen — and they'd face expedited deportation.
Programs
Milestones
Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 301.
The bill is now on the schedule for the full chamber to consider. It's in line for debate and a vote.
Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Introduced in Senate
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Votes
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
News
Sen Schmitt reups push for expanding denaturalization after recent acts of violence by naturalized citizens
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
SCAM Act
Data Sources
Sponsor
Cosponsors
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