Trump Administration Targets Somali Americans in Fraud Investigations

The Trump administration has begun auditing immigration cases concerning Somali-origin U.S. citizens to detect potential fraud for denaturalization. This move is part of a broader hardline immigration strategy, but has been criticized by human rights groups as targeting Somali immigrants and politicizing community-centric federal funding in Minnesota.

In a significant move, President Donald Trump's administration announced on Tuesday that it is auditing immigration cases involving Somali-origin U.S. citizens. The objective is to uncover any fraudulent activities that could trigger denaturalization, according to a statement by Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin.

Historically, denaturalization cases have been rare in the U.S., with approximately 11 cases pursued annually between 1990 and 2017. However, since January, the Trump administration has adopted a hardline stance on immigration, with measures that include aggressive deportation efforts and visa revocations.

The policies have drawn sharp criticism from human rights organizations, which argue they infringe upon civil liberties such as due process and free speech. Minnesota, home to a large Somali community, has been highlighted by federal officials as a potential fraud hotspot, raising concerns among immigrant-rights advocates about broader implications for Somali immigrants.

(With inputs from agencies.)