Caribbean nationals among 17 targeted in U.S. denaturalization crackdown

Caribbean-born citizens are among a group of 17 naturalized Americans facing federal denaturalization actions, as the U.S. Department of Justice moves to revoke citizenship from individuals accused of serious crimes, including fraud, drug trafficking, and sexual offenses.

The cases, filed in multiple U.S. district courts, involve allegations that the individuals either concealed criminal histories or made false statements during the naturalization process. The Justice Department says citizenship may be revoked under the Immigration and Nationality Act if it was “illegally procured or obtained through concealment or misrepresentation of material facts.”

Several of the cases involve nationals from the Caribbean, highlighting the region’s visibility in an enforcement action that spans multiple continents.

Among them is Talman Harris of Jamaica, who is accused of participating in a large-scale securities fraud scheme that prosecutors say generated tens of millions of dollars in losses to investors. Authorities allege the conduct occurred during the period he was required to demonstrate “good moral character” as part of his naturalization process.

Another Jamaican national, Rodger George Gurdon, is also named in the action. U.S. authorities allege he participated in conspiracies involving stolen medical goods and drug distribution prior to and during his path to citizenship.

From the Dominican Republic, Federico Michel Fermin is accused of participating in the illegal wholesale distribution of prescription drugs valued at more than $1.7 million, while allegedly concealing key facts during his immigration proceedings.

In Trinidad and Tobago, Ronnie Price is among those targeted, with authorities alleging he failed to disclose criminal conduct during his naturalization process.

The Caribbean presence in the case list also includes Cuban nationals, including Leidys Delmas Garcia and Andrea Marroquin, both accused of large-scale financial crimes tied to alleged fraud schemes in Florida.

Other cases span additional countries, including Haiti, where Jean Claude Alfred is accused of concealing serious criminal conduct during his naturalization process, and the Dominican Republic, where multiple defendants face similar allegations involving fraud and drug-related offenses.

In a separate Caribbean-linked case, Jamaica-born Talman Harris is accused of securities manipulation that prosecutors say occurred while he was in the process of becoming a U.S. citizen.

The Justice Department said the cases are part of a broader effort to ensure that citizenship was not obtained through deception or criminal concealment.

“When criminal aliens exploit the naturalization process by breaking the law, there are consequences,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. “Gaining U.S. citizenship is a privilege.”

Officials stressed that all allegations remain unproven and must be established in court.

The action was coordinated by the Justice Department’s Office of Immigration Litigation, with support from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and multiple U.S. Attorney’s Offices nationwide.

The cases remain civil complaints, and no final determinations have been made.