"We’re also going to revoke the citizenship of any naturalized immigrant from Somalia or anywhere else who is convicted of defrauding our citizens,” Trump said. "If you come to America to rob Americans, we’re throwing you in jail and we’re sending you back to the place from where you came.”

The remarks have prompted debate over the legal and constitutional limits of such a policy. Under current U.S. law, denaturalization is generally limited to cases where citizenship was obtained through fraud or misrepresentation. Legal scholars say expanding the practice to include later criminal convictions would likely face significant court challenges and could require changes to federal law.

Public reaction has been mixed. Polling conducted in 2025 by organizations including Pew Research Center and Data for Progress suggests that many Americans support stricter enforcement against immigrants who commit serious crimes, while also expressing concern about due process, potential government overreach and the risk of politicizing citizenship.

Supporters of Trump’s proposal argue it would deter fraud and better protect victims. Critics say it could undermine legal protections for naturalized citizens and create uncertainty about the permanence of U.S. citizenship.