Naturalization Accountability Act
- Sponsor
- Sen. Cotton, Tom [R-AR]
- Committees
- Judiciary Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Mar 17, 2026
Bottom line
The bill broadens the government's power to revoke naturalized citizenship and prosecute unlawful naturalization by removing time limits and adding felony convictions as a perpetual ground for denaturalization.
What it actually does
This bill significantly expands the grounds for revoking U.S. naturalization by including any felony conviction at any time as a basis for denaturalization. It also removes the existing 5-year time limit for revoking naturalization based on membership in certain totalitarian or treasonous organizations. Furthermore, the bill eliminates the 10-year statute of limitations for criminal prosecution of individuals who unlawfully procured citizenship or naturalization, allowing such cases to be brought at any time.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue that this bill is crucial for enhancing national security, ensuring the integrity of the naturalization process, and holding individuals accountable for serious crimes or fraudulent acquisition of citizenship regardless of when they occurred. They contend that citizenship is a privilege that should be revocable under conditions of severe misconduct or fraud, and that time limits should not shield such actions.
Opponents contend
Critics contend that this legislation creates a two-tiered citizenship system, making naturalized citizens perpetually vulnerable to denaturalization in a way that birthright citizens are not. They raise significant concerns about due process, the potential for politically motivated denaturalization, and the chilling effect such permanent vulnerability could have on immigrant communities and their integration into American society.
The bill text is very short and can be read quickly, but its legal and social implications are far-reaching and require extensive consideration beyond a superficial reading.
Section 2(2)
Expansion of Grounds for Revocation of Naturalization to Include Any Felony Conviction
This provision amends Section 340(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act to add 'any felony conviction' at any time as a new ground for revoking naturalization. Previously, denaturalization was primarily tied to fraud in obtaining citizenship or specific acts of disloyalty. This change means that if a naturalized citizen is convicted of any felony, regardless of when it occurred relative to their naturalization, their citizenship could be subject to revocation.
Supporters argue
Proponents argue that individuals who commit felonies demonstrate a lack of allegiance to the United States and should not retain the privilege of citizenship. They assert that serious criminal behavior, regardless of when it occurs, should be grounds for the government to revoke citizenship to maintain national security and public safety.
Critics contend
Opponents contend that this provision creates a permanent, unequal vulnerability for naturalized citizens not faced by birthright citizens, who generally cannot be denaturalized. They argue it could lead to disproportionate targeting, undermine the finality of naturalization, and raise serious due process concerns, especially if applied retroactively to convictions from many years ago.
Tradeoffs
The provision balances the government's interest in national security and the integrity of citizenship against the principle of equal citizenship and the finality of naturalization. It trades the stability of naturalized status for expanded government power to address criminal conduct.
Section 2(1)
Removal of 5-Year Limitation for Revocation Based on Organizational Membership
This provision amends Section 340(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act by striking the phrase 'shall within five years next following such naturalization become' and inserting 'becomes'. This change removes the 5-year time limit for revoking naturalization based on a person's membership in certain totalitarian or treasonous organizations, as defined in section 313 of the INA. Consequently, such membership could be a ground for denaturalization at any time after naturalization, not just within the initial five years.
Section 3
Elimination of Statute of Limitations for Unlawful Naturalization Offenses
This section amends Section 3291 of title 18, United States Code, to remove the 10-year statute of limitations for criminal offenses related to the unlawful procurement of citizenship or naturalization (specifically under 18 U.S.C. 1425). This means that individuals who obtained their citizenship unlawfully or fraudulently could be prosecuted at any time, without any time limit, for those specific criminal offenses.