The bill’s name is a wink. The politics behind it are not.
House Majority Whip Tom Emmer is preparing to introduce the Stop Citizenship Abuse and Misrepresentation Act — the SCAM Act — a proposal designed to make it easier for the federal government to strip citizenship from naturalized Americans convicted of fraud and other serious offenses.
The legislation would clarify what evidence federal officials can use to prove a person did not meet the lawful requirements at the time of naturalization.
It would also create a pathway to denaturalize individuals who, within 10 years of becoming citizens, are convicted of fraud against the government, found to have joined or affiliated with a foreign terrorist organization, or convicted of an aggravated felony.
Emmer says the goal is simple: protect the country, protect taxpayers, and stop rewarding bad actors with the privileges of citizenship.
“If you came to this country to harm and take advantage of the American people, I’ve got news for you: You’re going home,” Emmer told Fox News. “Anyone who commits fraud against American taxpayers, affiliates with a terrorist organization, or commits an aggravated felony after becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen never met the requirements for naturalization in the first place and should be denaturalized and deported.”
“It’s common sense and the SCAM Act will make it law,” he added. “This legislation not only holds Somali fraudsters in Minnesota accountable, but it restores long-overdue integrity to America’s entire naturalization process. It’s time to send them home.”
The proposal lands amid intensifying scrutiny in Minnesota over a sprawling fraud scandal that has drawn Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis’ Somali community into the glare.
CITIZENSHIP CRACKDOWN: A Republican unveiled legislation to denaturalize Americans convicted of fraud against the government or serious crimes.
The proposal comes as Minnesota faces national scrutiny over a massive COVID-relief fraud scheme.https://t.co/pHgWDYfLXY
— Fox News (@FoxNews) January 16, 2026
