The federal government is seeking to revoke the citizenship of a Minnesota man who became a U.S. citizen nearly two decades ago, marking one of a small number of denaturalization cases pursued in federal court.
Last week, the Department of Justice filed a civil complaint in federal court against Salah Osman Ahmed, one of 12 foreign-born individuals currently targeted in similar proceedings.
According to court documents, Ahmed was naturalized as a U.S. citizen in August 2007. In 2009, he pleaded guilty to providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization, specifically the Somali militant group al-Shabab, which is designated by the U.S. government as a terrorist organization. At the time, his defense attorney stated that Ahmed had traveled to Somalia in late 2007 to fight Ethiopian forces operating there.
The government argues that Ahmed’s actions shortly after becoming a citizen raise questions about whether he had a genuine commitment to U.S. constitutional principles at the time of naturalization.
In its filing, officials wrote that he “lacked the requisite attachment to the principles of the Constitution and dedication to the good order and happiness of the United States,” suggesting he may not have met the legal standard required for citizenship.
Denaturalization cases are uncommon and typically require the government to prove in federal court that citizenship was obtained illegally or through intentional misrepresentation.
Under U.S. immigration law, authorities must meet a high evidentiary threshold, showing “clear, unequivocal and convincing evidence” that an individual either lied during the naturalization process or was not eligible for citizenship at the time it was granted.
Officials say such cases are part of a broader effort to review past naturalizations where serious criminal activity or alleged fraud may be involved. Immigration enforcement has also expanded in other areas, including increased Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations, broader use of expedited removal procedures and heightened scrutiny of individuals with existing legal status, including refugees.
Advocates and immigration attorneys have raised concerns that recent policy changes are contributing to longer processing times, increased documentation requirements and greater uncertainty for immigrants navigating the system. They argue that these shifts may discourage people from seeking legal protections or cooperating with authorities.
The case against Ahmed will now proceed in federal court, where a judge will determine whether the government has met the legal standard required to revoke his citizenship.
