Trump says he’d revoke citizenship of 'naturalized criminals' if he had the authority

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump suggested the possibility of revoking citizenship from some naturalized immigrants who have a criminal history. 

This comes in the wake of his administration’s halt of asylum processing following the tragic shooting of two National Guard members by an Afghan refugee.

Trump indicates tougher immigration measures

Trump made the comments aboard Air Force One while speaking to reporters, where he linked the pause to a more aggressive stance toward 19 countries he described as "crime-ridden" and vowed that he would "absolutely" de-naturalize immigrants convicted of crimes if it were within his authority as president.

"We have criminals that came into our country, and they were naturalized," Trump said, vowing that, "If I have the power to do it, I’m not sure that I do, but if I do, I would de-naturalize. Absolutely."

Although the asylum freeze was an emergency response to the DC shooting, Trump’s remarks suggest the restrictions could evolve into a long-term approach.

Clarifying his recent use of the term "reverse migration," he said it refers to removing people already inside the US. "Get people out that are in our country – get them out of here," Trump said. 

Afghan evacuee charged in DC shooting sparks immigration debate

The suspect in the shooting was identified as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national.

Lakanwal reportedly entered the US in 2021 under "Operation Allies Welcome," the Joe Biden administration’s Afghan evacuation and resettlement program.

He faces charges of first-degree murder and two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed. Reacting to the tragic event, President Trump called the shooting “a heinous assault … an act of evil, an act of hatred and an act of terror.”

In a video message, he stated that “every single alien who has entered our country from Afghanistan under Biden be re-examined.”

He further insisted, “We must take all necessary measures to ensure the removal of any alien from any country who does not belong here or add benefit to our country.”

“Based on best available information, the Department of Homeland Security is confident that the suspect in custody is a foreigner who entered our country from Afghanistan… He was flown in by the Biden administration in September 2021,” Trump announced.

He further claimed, “The last administration let in 20 million unknown foreigners from all over the world.”