Congressman Steve Israel (D-NY) announced that he joined Rep. Steve Womack (R-AR) in support of the Terrorist Denaturalization and Passport Revocation Act, which will prevent U.S. citizens from retaining their citizenship status if they fight for a known foreign terrorist organization (FTO). Since 2001 there has been a substantial increase in home-grown terrorism, including an estimated more than 74 plots or attacks in the United States. In the last couple months at least three Americans, including one Air Force Veteran, have been arrested attempting to join ISIS or planning to carry out attacks on U.S soil.
“Any American who decides to actively join a terrorist organization should no longer get to enjoy the freedoms and privileges afforded to them as a U.S. citizen. This bipartisan legislation strengthens our homeland security and keeps our country safe by preventing home-grown terrorists from re-entering our borders to carry out attacks on American soil,” said Rep. Israel.
The Terrorist Denaturalization and Passport Revocation Act amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to add certain acts of allegiance, such as taking an oath to or serving in FTOs, to the list of actions for which U.S. nationals may lose citizenship. The legislation also directs the Secretary of State to revoke a passport previously issued to a citizen involved with an FTO; and prohibits the issuance of a passport or passport card to any member of an FTO. This legislation would prevent U.S. citizens from returning to the United States to conduct terrorist operations or attacks on U.S. soil.
The bipartisan Terrorist Denaturalization and Passport Revocation Act was introduced by Representative Steve Womack (AR-3) on January 6, 2015 and has been referred to the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Rep. Steve Israel is a co-sponsor of this legislation.
