Citizenship Fraud Crackdown
Federal Authorities Move to Denaturalize 10 Citizens Who Concealed Serious Crimes
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Key Points
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Yoskmaikel Rodriguez Perez, a Cuban national, submitted more than $886,000 in fraudulent Medicare claims before becoming a U.S. citizen in 2018 and later pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit healthcare and wire fraud.
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Omar Cantu-Montalvo, a Mexican national, joined a conspiracy to distribute more than 10 pounds of cocaine months before applying for citizenship in 2005.
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John Taylor, a Polish national, was convicted on 19 counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child and received consecutive terms of 15 years to life.
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DOJ and DHS listed that the group includes six people from Mexico and one each from Cuba, Pakistan, Peru, and Poland, illustrating the geographic mix of cases.
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DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said, "When you commit fraud during the naturalization process, you forfeit the right to keep your U.S. citizenship," and Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche added, "These criminal aliens... lied their way into U.S. citizenship."
The Justice Department and Department of Homeland Security have filed civil complaints to strip citizenship from 10 naturalized Americans who allegedly hid serious crimes during the application process, Miami Herald reported. The defendants come from Cuba, Mexico, Pakistan, Peru, and Poland — and their alleged offenses range from child sexual abuse to large-scale drug trafficking and Medicare fraud.
DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin put it plainly: "When you commit fraud during the naturalization process, you forfeit the right to keep your U.S. citizenship." Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche added that the defendants "lied their way into U.S. citizenship."
How These 10 People Allegedly Gamed the System
Naturalization requires applicants to disclose criminal history. Each of the 10 defendants is accused of hiding past crimes before or during that process, Head Topics reported. The government says this counts as "illegal procurement" of citizenship — a legal basis for revoking it under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
The group includes six Mexican nationals and one each from Cuba, Pakistan, Peru, and Poland. Cases span multiple states, including at least one filed in Iowa, according to The Gazette. Federal officials say this is part of a coordinated, ongoing push — not a one-off action.
Miami Medicare Fraudster Billed $886,000 Before Getting Citizenship
Yosmaikel Rodriguez Perez, a 45-year-old Cuban national from Miami-Dade County, is one of the most prominent cases. He submitted more than $886,000 in fraudulent Medicare claims before becoming a U.S. citizen in 2018, Miami Herald reported. He later pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit healthcare and wire fraud.
Rodriguez Perez first got a green card in 2004. Prosecutors say he ran the Medicare scheme before applying for citizenship — and never disclosed it. The denaturalization complaint argues his citizenship was obtained through deliberate concealment of those crimes.
Child Abuser and Drug Trafficker Among Those Named
John Taylor, a Polish national, faces denaturalization after being convicted on 19 counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child. He received consecutive prison terms of 15 years to life. Prosecutors say he concealed this criminal conduct when he applied for citizenship, according to Head Topics.
Omar Cantu-Montalvo, a Mexican national, joined a conspiracy to distribute more than 10 pounds of cocaine just months before applying for citizenship in 2005, Head Topics reported. He allegedly never disclosed this when filling out his application — a direct violation of naturalization rules.
Trump Administration Frames This as a Broader Crackdown
Officials are describing these 10 cases as part of a wider effort under the Trump administration to clean up the naturalization process. The DOJ and DHS acted together, signaling coordinated federal pressure. The Gazette noted that at least one case was filed in Iowa, showing the reach extends well beyond major cities.
Denaturalization is rare and legally complex. The government must prove in civil court that citizenship was obtained through fraud or concealment. If successful, the individuals could lose citizenship and face deportation. Officials say more cases are expected as the review continues.
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