Trump Rekindles National Debate by Hinting at Stripping Citizenship and Toughening His Stance on Immigration

• Trump Threatens Revoking Citizenship Again
• Tougher anti-immigrant rhetoric
• Asylum could face lengthy pauses

Donald Trump reignited controversy by declaring that he would be willing to strip U.S. citizenship from certain naturalized individuals considered “criminals,” if he had the authority to do so.

The president claimed that some immigrants obtained citizenship “the wrong way,” suggesting failures in Joe Biden’s administration during naturalization processes.

The statements came after a shooting in Washington, a moment the president used to reinforce his hard-line immigration stance.

Trump responded to reporters by saying that he would “absolutely” denaturalize certain citizens if the law allowed it.

Anti-Immigrant Rhetoric and Warnings About Asylum

The president also targeted immigrant communities, singling out people from Somalia living in the United States.

He stated that his administration could impose a long-term pause on new asylum applications as part of a broader plan to tighten immigration control.

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He asserted that the suspension would have no set limit and could remain in effect “for a long time” if he deemed it necessary.

Trump added that certain groups “should not be in the country,” intensifying rhetoric that has deepened tensions since his return to the White House.

A More Aggressive Immigration Offensive

Since the beginning of this second term, the Trump administration has adopted a stricter line against immigration.

The tightening intensified after a deadly attack on members of the National Guard—an incident the president linked to the need to review citizenship granted to some naturalized individuals.

Trump claimed that part of the security risks come from people who obtained naturalization without proper vetting.

His comments place naturalized U.S. citizens at the center of a renewed debate over rights, legal status, and presidential authority.

What Naturalization Means Under U.S. Law

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) defines naturalization as the process through which a lawful permanent resident becomes a citizen after meeting requirements established by the Immigration and Nationality Act.

The law grants Congress the power to set the rules for how a foreign-born person may obtain citizenship.

However, the authority to revoke citizenship is extremely limited and is reserved for serious cases—usually involving concealed crimes or human rights violations.

For decades, denaturalization has been rare, averaging only 11 cases per year between 1990 and 2017.

Extreme Cases and Legal Precedents

Historical records include situations where individuals deceived the system by hiding serious crimes, such as war crimes or participation in mass atrocities.

Examples include a former Nazi police officer responsible for persecuting Jewish citizens during World War II.

Another case involved a former Bosnian Serb soldier who concealed his involvement in a unit linked to the 1995 Srebrenica massacre.

These precedents demonstrate that revocation of citizenship has been treated as an exceptional measure—not as a tool for general immigration enforcement.

Trump Anti-Immigrant Proposal Without Legal Foundation

Recent attempts at large-scale denaturalization efforts under previous administrations also failed to produce high numbers.

Experts emphasize that Trump does not have unilateral authority to strip citizenship—an explicit limit established by the Constitution.

Nevertheless, Trump’s remarks revive a sensitive debate about security, discrimination, and the scope of federal power.

The discussion is expected to intensify in a country facing growing tensions surrounding immigration, civil rights, and definitions of citizenship, according to La Opinión.