House GOP whip urges citizenship revocations tied to Minnesota fraud schemes

The No. 2 Republican in the House of Representatives believes it's time to deport Somalis who participated in expansive fraud in Minnesota - even if they hold citizenship. 

"I have three words regarding Somalis who have committed fraud against American taxpayers: Send them home," Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Minn., said in a press release Monday evening.

"If they're here illegally, deport them immediately; if they're naturalized citizens, revoke their citizenship and deport them quickly thereafter. If we need to change the law to do that, I will."

According to Emmer, 90% of the people charged with fraud have a Somali background.

"Our nation will not tolerate those who take advantage of our charity and refuse to assimilate into our culture," Emmer said.

While the group also operates out of Kenya and Ethiopia, Al-Shabaab is primarily concentrated in Somalia.

"If any naturalized Somalis had undisclosed ties to terrorist organizations like Al-Shabaab, I want to see their citizenship revoked and their a--es sent back immediately. Same goes for anyone who is found to have committed marriage fraud during the immigration process," Emmer said.

Under current law, U.S. citizens born into the country may not have their citizenship revoked as a penalty for crimes they commit. Naturalized citizens can have their status revoked, but only in a handful of scenarios.

The court will hear that case in spring 2026.