hold on there's just too much going on in Congress lmao...
Expands reasons naturalized citizens can lose citizenship, including fraud and terrorism ties.
Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN) and over 40 co-sponsors.
Introduced in the House, referred to committee.
This bill, officially called the 'SCAM Act', expands the grounds for revoking U.S. citizenship from naturalized individuals. It was introduced by Representative Tom Emmer, a Republican from Minnesota, along with a large group of Republican co-sponsors. The bill is currently in the initial stages of the legislative process, having been referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced Jan 20, 2026
H.R. 7156 was introduced in the House of Representatives on January 20, 2026, and immediately referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. For the bill to become law, it must first be approved by this committee, then pass a vote in the full House. After that, it would move to the Senate for a similar process, and finally, if passed by both chambers, go to the President for his signature or veto.
If you are a naturalized U.S. citizen, this bill could impact your status. It would allow your citizenship to be revoked if, within 10 years of becoming a citizen, you are convicted of or admit to certain actions. These actions include associating with foreign terrorist organizations, committing fraud against federal, state, local, or tribal governments involving at least $10,000, or committing an aggravated felony or espionage offense. If your citizenship is revoked under these new grounds, it would be treated as if you were never a citizen, and you would face expedited removal from the U.S.
Supporters Say
Supporters argue the bill ensures naturalized citizens meet high standards and are committed to the U.S., protecting national security and integrity.
Critics Say
The bill text does not explicitly state arguments from critics. However, potential concerns could involve due process or the retroactive nature of denaturalization.
Proponents of the bill believe it is necessary because some naturalized citizens have 'betrayed' their duties by committing fraud, associating with foreign terrorist organizations, or engaging in serious criminal offenses. They argue that such actions demonstrate a lack of good moral character at the time of naturalization, making their citizenship invalid. The bill cites Supreme Court precedents suggesting that citizenship can be challenged if obtained through false evidence or misrepresentation. The bill's findings explicitly state that those who commit these acts prove they were not of good moral character or attached to U.S. principles when naturalized.