Dear Editor,
Several news outlets are reporting that the Trump Administration plans to denaturalize (taking away citizenship) from immigrants who became citizens. One publication reported that up to 200 immigrant Americans will be denaturalized per month from January onwards and deported to their home countries. It is not clear how this will be done and who will be targeted. But Guyanese and other immigrant Americans are worried about the new policy. They fear they could be picked up and subject to denaturalization.
A person who becomes American through naturalization (not born as an American) and is found to have lied for a green card or on the naturalization application could have (green card and or) naturalization revoked. Hundreds of thousands of Guyanese have been naturalized over the last fifty plus years. Illegals are subjected to arrest and deportation. Green card residents are also subjected to arrest and deportation if convicted of a crime. Students and or legitimate visitors can also have visas revoked and deported if engaged in activities in contravention to stated purpose. Dozens of Guyanese, including politicians and businessmen, with visas were denied entry at airports, had visa revoked, phones seized and downloaded, and deported. Hundreds of Guyanese in Guyana had their visas cancelled for varied reasons including for corruption and other wrongdoings. Hundreds of Guyanese are on a list for visa revocations awaiting clearance from Homeland Security and or the State Department. It is not clear if a naturalized citizen convicted of a crime can be denaturalized and deported. There has not been such a policy until now but anything is possible going forward as the Trump administration cracks down on anti-Americanism and corruption abroad. Americans welcome the crackdown kn corrupt politicians abroad. It is also not clear if a naturalized citizen who committed a crime before becoming a citizen can be denaturalized.
It is believed that those who have expressed anti-American sentiments and or have been critical of the administration will be targeted for denaturalization. Immigrant citizens from certain countries could also be targeted.
Guyanese I engaged are not supportive of the new Trump policy on denaturalization But they are of the view that anti-Americans should return their visas, green card, and citizenship. So far no anti-American is willing to return visa, green card or citizenship.
Yours truly,
Vishnu Bisram
