Salvadoran Child Molester in North Carolina Denaturalized and Ordered Deported
Key Takeaways
- USCIS announced a Salvadoran national in North Carolina has been denaturalized and ordered removed (deported) following a child sex offense.
- Denaturalization revokes U.S. citizenship when it was illegally procured or obtained by concealment or misrepresentation under 8 U.S.C. § 1451.
- Child sex crimes can constitute an aggravated felony and bar “good moral character,” a requirement for naturalization.
- After denaturalization, the individual reverts to noncitizen status and becomes subject to removal proceedings.
- Applicants are reminded to fully disclose criminal histories on the N-400 and seek legal counsel if uncertain.
What happened
USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) reported that a Salvadoran national residing in North Carolina was denaturalized and ordered deported in connection with a child molestation offense. Denaturalization voids a person’s U.S. citizenship, returning them to noncitizen status. Once citizenship is revoked, DHS can pursue removal based on criminal grounds and immigration violations. It has been reported that immigration authorities took steps to effectuate the removal following the court’s denaturalization order.
Legal context and why it matters
Under federal law, a court may revoke naturalization if citizenship was illegally procured or obtained by concealment of a material fact or by willful misrepresentation (8 U.S.C. § 1451). Crimes involving sexual abuse of a minor are typically treated as aggravated felonies in immigration law and can defeat the “good moral character” requirement for naturalization. In practice, the government must first win a civil denaturalization case; only then can the person be ordered removed (deported) under the Immigration and Nationality Act. While denaturalization is relatively rare, it is a powerful tool used in cases involving serious crimes or fraud.
What immigrants and applicants should know now
For anyone pursuing or who has obtained naturalization, full honesty on the N-400 application is critical. Failing to disclose arrests, charges, or convictions—even old or expunged records that may still count for immigration purposes—can trigger denials, denaturalization, and removal. Those with any criminal history should consult an experienced immigration attorney before filing. The case underscores that naturalized citizenship is not immune from revocation if the government proves it was obtained unlawfully.
Source: Original Article