Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jim Baird (R-IN-04)
Today, Congressman Jim Baird (IN-04) released the following statement after serving as an original cosponsor on the Stop Citizenship Abuse and Misrepresentation (SCAM) Act, introduced by House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (MN-06):
“Like many Americans, I was appalled to learn of the widespread abuse and scams costing billions of tax dollars from Somali fraudsters in Minnesota,” said Congressman Baird. “Becoming a naturalized American citizen is a privilege, not a right. We are uncovering just how many people have come to our country, hurt the American people, or exploited the benefits of citizenship for criminal activity. These people must be held accountable and removed if necessary. This legislation preserves the value of U.S. citizenship from those who come here and harm our nation, and I thank House Majority Whip Tom Emmer for his leadership on this important bill.”
The SCAM Act clarifies what evidence the government can use when proving an individual did not meet the lawful requirements at the time of their naturalization. This legislation also creates a path to denaturalize anyone who, within 10 years of their naturalization, is convicted of fraud against the government, found to have joined or affiliated with a foreign terrorist organization, or is convicted of an aggravated felony or espionage.
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