Naturalization Accountability Act
Sen. Cotton Introduces Bill to Strip Citizenship From Naturalized Citizens Convicted of Any Felony
This bill is currently in the early stages of the legislative process. It was recently introduced in the Senate and sent to the Committee on the Judiciary for review. No further actions are scheduled at this time.
Legislative Progress
This bill proposes a major change to citizenship laws that will likely face strong opposition from civil rights groups and many lawmakers. It currently lacks the broad support needed to pass.
Key Points
- The bill would allow the government to revoke naturalization from any naturalized citizen convicted of a felony at any time. This is a major expansion beyond current law, which limits revocation to specific offenses like fraud or membership in subversive organizations.
From policy text
“by inserting ``or has been convicted at any time of any felony,'' after ``section 313,''”
View in full text - The bill removes the current five-year window for revoking citizenship based on membership in totalitarian or treasonous organizations. Under this change, the government could pursue revocation for such membership no matter how long ago the person was naturalized.
From policy text
“by striking ``shall within five years next following such naturalization become'' and inserting ``becomes''”
View in full text - The bill eliminates the 10-year statute of limitations for criminal prosecution of people who unlawfully obtained citizenship or naturalization under Section 1425 of federal law. This means there would be no time limit for the government to bring charges for fraudulently procuring citizenship.
From policy text
“Notwithstanding any other law, an indictment may be found or an information instituted at any time without limitation for any offense under section 1425.”
View in full text - These changes would only affect naturalized citizens, meaning people born in other countries who went through the legal process to become U.S. citizens. People born in the United States would not be affected by any of these provisions.
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
Milestones
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
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.
Related News
4 articlesEXCLUSIVE: Sen. Tom Cotton unveils bill to denaturalize felons and terrorists
The Naturalization Accountability Act eliminates the five-year limitation post-naturalization for membership in a terrorist organization to be evidence for denaturalization. It also removes the ten-year statute of limitations for criminal denaturalization cases in federal district court.
Cotton introduces bill to revoke citizenship for naturalized citizens who commit felonies, support terrorism
The proposed legislation would remove the five to 10-year limitation periods for revocation of naturalization if the person belongs to a terrorist organization or commits certain crimes. The bill specifically targets naturalized citizens and does not affect those born in the U.S.
Cotton Introduces Bill to Denaturalize Convicted Felons
Senator Tom Cotton introduced the Naturalization Accountability Act to provide grounds to revoke citizenship from any naturalized citizen who commits a felony or supports a terrorist group. The bill ensures that naturalized citizens who break laws are subject to denaturalization proceedings.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Naturalization Accountability Act
Data Sources
Sponsor
Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.