S. 4547

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 4547 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 4547

To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to strengthen requirements 
for naturalization, to require instruction on the oath of allegiance 
and the principles of the Constitution, to establish consequences for 
fraud and concealment in the naturalization process, and for other 
purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

May 14, 2026

Mr. Schmitt introduced the following bill; which was read twice and 
referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to strengthen requirements 
for naturalization, to require instruction on the oath of allegiance 
and the principles of the Constitution, to establish consequences for 
fraud and concealment in the naturalization process, and for other 
purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``America First 
Citizenship and Allegiance Act''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings.
Sec. 3. Purposes.
Sec. 4. Definitions.
Sec. 5. Strengthening civics and English requirements for 
naturalization.
Sec. 6. Attachment to the principles of the Constitution and allegiance 
to the United States.
Sec. 7. Instruction on the oath of allegiance.
Sec. 8. Consequences for fraud, concealment, false statements, and 
abuse of the naturalization process.
Sec. 9. Preservation of denaturalization authorities.
Sec. 10. Criminal penalties for naturalization fraud and false 
statements.
Sec. 11. America 250 Citizenship Initiative.
Sec. 12. Annual report to Congress.
Sec. 13. Regulations.
Sec. 14. Rule of construction.
Sec. 15. Severability.
Sec. 16. Effective date.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

Congress finds the following:
(1) American citizenship is not merely an administrative 
status, immigration benefit, welfare ticket, or entitlement to 
public resources.
(2) American citizenship is membership in the American 
political community.
(3) American citizenship carries rights, privileges, 
duties, and obligations, including allegiance to the United 
States, fidelity to the Constitution of the United States, 
obedience to the laws of the United States, and attachment to 
the principles of republican self-government.
(4) The United States is a sovereign Nation with the 
inherent authority to determine who may join the Nation as a 
citizen.
(5) Naturalization is the formal act by which an alien is 
admitted into the American people and assumes the obligations 
of American citizenship.
(6) Naturalization is not a ministerial transaction. It is 
a solemn act of allegiance to the United States.
(7) An applicant for naturalization must demonstrate more 
than physical presence, technical eligibility, or completion of 
paperwork.
(8) An applicant for naturalization must demonstrate good 
moral character, attachment to the principles of the 
Constitution of the United States, and favorable disposition 
toward the good order and happiness of the United States.
(9) The oath of allegiance is not ceremonial language 
alone. It is the formal promise by which a new citizen 
renounces prior political allegiance, pledges true faith and 
allegiance to the United States, and accepts the duties of 
American citizenship.
(10) A person who seeks naturalization should understand 
the English language, the Declaration of Independence, the 
Constitution of the United States, the Bill of Rights, the rule 
of law, separation of powers, Federalism, equal citizenship, 
religious liberty, freedom of speech, and the duties of 
citizenship.
(11) A person who knowingly engages in, incites, prepares, 
plans, assists, or provides material support for terrorism, 
violent revolution, political violence, the overthrow of 
constitutional government, transnational criminal 
organizations, cartels, or criminal gangs is not attached to 
the principles of the Constitution of the United States and is 
not well disposed to the good order and happiness of the United 
States.
(12) A person who knowingly acts as an agent, 
representative, or instrumentality of a foreign power, or 
knowingly acts under the direction or control of a foreign 
power, in a manner materially inconsistent with allegiance to 
the United States, is not attached to the principles of the 
Constitution of the United States and is not well disposed to 
the good order and happiness of the United States.
(13) Fraud, concealment, false statements, false identity, 
fraudulent documents, unlawful voting, obstruction of 
background checks, and concealment of criminal, terrorist, 
gang, cartel, or foreign-power affiliations corrupt the 
naturalization process and attack the integrity of American 
citizenship.
(14) Congress has a duty to ensure that naturalization 
remains a meaningful act of allegiance, assimilation, and 
membership in the American Nation.

SEC. 3. PURPOSES.

The purposes of this Act are--
(1) to restore naturalization as a serious act of joining 
the American people;
(2) to reaffirm that American citizenship is a bond of 
allegiance, constitutional attachment, civic duty, and 
membership in the Nation;
(3) to strengthen the civics, English, and constitutional-
attachment requirements for naturalization;
(4) to ensure that applicants for naturalization understand 
the oath of allegiance before becoming citizens;
(5) to prevent persons who engage in, incite, prepare, 
plan, assist, or provide material support for terrorism, 
violent revolution, political violence, criminal gangs, 
cartels, or the overthrow of constitutional government from 
obtaining citizenship;
(6) to prevent persons knowingly acting as agents, 
representatives, or instrumentalities of a foreign power, or 
knowingly acting under the direction or control of a foreign 
power, in a manner materially inconsistent with allegiance to 
the United States, from obtaining citizenship;
(7) to impose meaningful consequences on persons who 
defraud, corrupt, obstruct, or abuse the naturalization 
process; and
(8) to ensure that the 250th anniversary of the Declaration 
of Independence is marked by a renewed national commitment to 
American citizenship, constitutional liberty, and civic 
obligation.

SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.

In this Act:
(1) Alien.--The term ``alien'' has the meaning given such 
term in section 101(a)(3) of the Immigration and Nationality 
Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(3)).
(2) Applicant.--The term ``applicant'' means an alien who 
applies for naturalization under title III of the Immigration 
and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1401 et seq.).
(3) Foreign power.--The term ``foreign power'' means--
(A) a foreign government;
(B) a faction of a foreign nation or foreign 
government;
(C) an entity that is directed or controlled by a 
foreign government;
(D) a foreign military, paramilitary, intelligence, 
security, or law-enforcement service;
(E) a foreign terrorist organization designated 
under section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality 
Act (8 U.S.C. 1189);
(F) a transnational criminal organization, cartel, 
or criminal gang that is based primarily outside the 
United States; or
(G) any person or entity knowingly acting as an 
agent, representative, instrumentality, or proxy of an 
entity described in subparagraphs (A) through (F).
(4) Material fact.--The term ``material fact'' means any 
fact that has a natural tendency to influence, or is capable of 
influencing, a decision of the Secretary of Homeland Security, 
the Attorney General, or any other officer or employee of the 
United States concerning eligibility for naturalization, good 
moral character, attachment to the principles of the 
Constitution, admissibility, removability, identity, criminal 
history, national-security risk, immigration history, or 
eligibility for any immigration benefit.
(5) Naturalization process.--The term ``naturalization 
process'' means any application, interview, examination, 
investigation, oath ceremony, background check, biometric 
collection, submission of evidence, administrative proceeding, 
judicial proceeding, or other act or proceeding related to 
naturalization under title III of the Immigration and 
Nationality Act.
(6) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
of Homeland Security.
(7) Material support.--The term ``material support'' means 
material support or resources, as defined in section 2339A(b) 
of title 18, United States Code.
(8) Terrorist activity.--The term ``terrorist activity'' 
has the meaning given such term in section 212(a)(3)(B)(iii) of 
the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 
1182(a)(3)(B)(iii)).
(9) Terrorist organization.--The term ``terrorist 
organization'' means an organization described in subclause 
(I), (II), or (III) of section 212(a)(3)(B)(vi) of the 
Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(3)(B)(vi)).

SEC. 5. STRENGTHENING CIVICS AND ENGLISH REQUIREMENTS FOR 
NATURALIZATION.

(a) In General.--Section 312 of the Immigration and Nationality Act 
(8 U.S.C. 1423) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``an 
understanding of the English language'' and inserting 
``a sufficient understanding of the English language to 
read, write, speak, and understand ordinary English, 
including the English language used in the oath of 
allegiance described in section 337'';
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``a knowledge and 
understanding of the fundamentals of the history, and 
of the principles and form of government, of the United 
States'' and inserting ``a substantial knowledge and 
understanding of the history, principles, form of 
government, constitutional structure, and civic 
obligations of the United States''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(3) The examination required under paragraph (2) shall 
include questions testing the applicant's knowledge and 
understanding of--
``(A) the Declaration of Independence;
``(B) the Constitution of the United States;
``(C) the Bill of Rights;
``(D) the separation of powers;
``(E) Federalism;
``(F) the rule of law;
``(G) equal citizenship under law;
``(H) religious liberty;
``(I) freedom of speech;
``(J) the history of the United States;
``(K) the duties and obligations of citizenship;
``(L) the meaning of the oath of allegiance 
described in section 337; and
``(M) the requirement that a citizen bear true 
faith and allegiance to the United States.
``(4) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b) or any 
other provision of Federal law, the examination required under 
paragraph (2) shall be administered in the English language.
``(5) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b) or any 
other provision of Federal law, the Secretary shall ensure that 
an applicant may not satisfy the requirement under paragraph 
(2) unless the applicant correctly answers not less than 80 
percent of the questions asked during the examination.
``(6) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b) or any 
other provision of Federal law, the Secretary shall ensure that 
not less than 50 percent of the questions asked during the 
examination required under paragraph (2) concern the 
Constitution of the United States, the Declaration of 
Independence, the Bill of Rights, the structure of the 
Government of the United States, or the oath of allegiance 
described in section 337.''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(c) Review and Publication of Naturalization Examination 
Materials.--
``(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date 
of enactment of the America First Citizenship and Allegiance 
Act, the Secretary shall revise the naturalization examination 
and study materials used to administer this section to comply 
with the requirements of such Act.
``(2) Publication.--The Secretary shall make publicly 
available the study materials described in paragraph (1), 
including a description of the subjects tested and the minimum 
passing standards.
``(3) Review.--Not less frequently than once every 4 years, 
the Secretary shall review and, as appropriate, revise the 
examination and study materials described in paragraph (1) to 
ensure that such examination and materials adequately test an 
applicant's knowledge of the subjects described in subsection 
(a)(3).
``(d) Report on Waivers.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of the America First Citizenship and Allegiance Act, and 
annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on 
the Judiciary of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report 
identifying--
``(1) the number of applicants granted a waiver or 
exception from any English-language requirement under this 
section;
``(2) the number of applicants granted a waiver or 
exception from any civics or history requirement under this 
section;
``(3) the statutory basis for each category of waiver or 
exception;
``(4) the number of applicants who failed the examination 
required under subsection (a)(2);
``(5) the number of applicants who passed the examination 
required under subsection (a)(2); and
``(6) any recommendations for improving the integrity and 
rigor of the naturalization examination.''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply to any application for naturalization filed on or after the date 
that is 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 6. ATTACHMENT TO THE PRINCIPLES OF THE CONSTITUTION AND ALLEGIANCE 
TO THE UNITED STATES.

(a) In General.--Section 316 of the Immigration and Nationality Act 
(8 U.S.C. 1427) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(h) Attachment to the Principles of the Constitution and 
Allegiance to the United States.--
``(1) In general.--For purposes of this chapter, an 
applicant shall not be regarded as attached to the principles 
of the Constitution of the United States or well disposed to 
the good order and happiness of the United States if the 
applicant knowingly--
``(A) engages in, incites, prepares, plans, 
assists, or provides material support for terrorism or 
terrorist activity;
``(B) advocates or teaches the duty, necessity, or 
propriety of the overthrow by force, violence, or other 
unlawful means of the Government of the United States 
or the constitutional order of the United States;
``(C) engages in, incites, prepares, plans, 
assists, or provides material support for 
assassination, sabotage, kidnapping, political 
violence, or other unlawful violence as a means of 
political coercion;
``(D) participates in, assists, or provides 
material support to a transnational criminal 
organization, cartel, or criminal gang;
``(E) knowingly acts as an agent, representative, 
or instrumentality of a foreign power, or knowingly 
acts under the direction or control of a foreign power, 
in a manner materially inconsistent with allegiance to 
the United States;
``(F) conceals any affiliation, association, agency 
relationship, representative capacity, or conduct 
described in subparagraphs (A) through (E);
``(G) makes any false statement or material 
misrepresentation concerning the applicant's allegiance 
to the United States, attachment to the principles of 
the Constitution of the United States, willingness to 
take the oath of allegiance, or disposition toward the 
good order and happiness of the United States; or
``(H) refuses to affirm, without mental 
reservation, the oath of allegiance described in 
section 337.
``(2) Foreign power.--In this subsection, the term `foreign 
power' has the meaning given such term in section 4 of the 
America First Citizenship and Allegiance Act.
``(3) Material support.--In this subsection, the term 
`material support' has the meaning given such term in section 4 
of the America First Citizenship and Allegiance Act.
``(4) Terrorist activity.--In this subsection, the term 
`terrorist activity' has the meaning given such term in section 
4 of the America First Citizenship and Allegiance Act.
``(5) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subsection may 
be construed to authorize the denial of an application for 
naturalization based solely on--
``(A) speech protected by the First Amendment to 
the Constitution of the United States;
``(B) religious belief;
``(C) lawful association;
``(D) familial relationship;
``(E) nationality;
``(F) ethnicity;
``(G) dual nationality;
``(H) lawful contact with a foreign government;
``(I) lawful contact with a foreign political 
party; or
``(J) lawful advocacy that does not involve force, 
violence, material support for unlawful activity, 
terrorism, fraud, concealment, or conduct inconsistent 
with allegiance to the United States.
``(6) Burden of proof.--Nothing in this subsection may be 
construed to alter the burden of an applicant for 
naturalization to establish eligibility for naturalization 
under this chapter.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 316(a) of the Immigration and 
Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1427(a)) is amended by inserting ``, 
including the requirements under subsection (h),'' after ``Constitution 
of the United States''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply to any application for naturalization pending on or filed on or 
after the date of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 7. INSTRUCTION ON THE OATH OF ALLEGIANCE.

(a) In General.--Section 337 of the Immigration and Nationality Act 
(8 U.S.C. 1448) is amended--
(1) by redesignating subsections (c) and (d) as subsections 
(d) and (e), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after subsection (b) the following:
``(c) Instruction on the Oath of Allegiance.--
``(1) In general.--Before administering the oath of 
allegiance under subsection (a), the Secretary shall ensure 
that each applicant for naturalization receives instruction, in 
the English language, on the meaning of the oath of allegiance.
``(2) Contents.--The instruction required under paragraph 
(1) shall include instruction on--
``(A) allegiance to the United States;
``(B) renunciation of prior political allegiance to 
any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty;
``(C) the duty to support and defend the 
Constitution and laws of the United States;
``(D) the obligation to bear true faith and 
allegiance to the United States;
``(E) the duty to obey the laws of the United 
States;
``(F) the rights, privileges, duties, and 
obligations of American citizenship;
``(G) equal citizenship under law;
``(H) the distinction between citizenship, lawful 
permanent residence, temporary presence, parole, and 
other immigration statuses; and
``(I) the consequences of false statements, 
concealment of material facts, fraud, or refusal to 
take the oath without mental reservation.
``(3) Certification.--Before administering the oath of 
allegiance, the Secretary shall require the applicant to 
certify, in writing and under penalty of perjury, that the 
applicant--
``(A) received the instruction required under this 
subsection;
``(B) understands the oath of allegiance;
``(C) is willing to take the oath freely and 
without mental reservation; and
``(D) understands that a false statement or 
concealment of a material fact concerning the oath of 
allegiance may result in denial of naturalization, 
civil denaturalization, criminal prosecution, removal, 
or other consequences provided by law.
``(4) Waivers, modifications, and accommodations.--The 
requirements of this subsection shall not apply to a person for 
whom the taking of the oath is waived under subsection (a). In 
the case of a person who is permitted to take a modified oath 
under subsection (a), the instruction and certification 
required under this subsection shall be conformed to the oath 
that such person is required to take. The Secretary shall 
provide reasonable accommodations for any person with a 
disability, consistent with subsection (a) and section 312(b).
``(5) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subsection may 
be construed to alter, limit, or supersede any accommodation, 
modification, waiver, or exception expressly provided by this 
section, section 312(b), or any other provision of law.''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply to any oath of allegiance administered on or after the date that 
is 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 8. CONSEQUENCES FOR FRAUD, CONCEALMENT, FALSE STATEMENTS, AND 
ABUSE OF THE NATURALIZATION PROCESS.

(a) In General.--Chapter 2 of title III of the Immigration and 
Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1421 et seq.) is amended by inserting after 
section 318 the following:

``SEC. 318A. NATURALIZATION PROCESS INTEGRITY.

``(a) Mandatory Denial.--The Secretary shall deny an application 
for naturalization if the Secretary determines that the applicant 
knowingly--
``(1) made a false statement or material misrepresentation 
in the naturalization process;
``(2) concealed a material fact in the naturalization 
process;
``(3) submitted, presented, procured, or relied upon any 
fraudulent, altered, forged, counterfeit, unlawfully obtained, 
or materially inaccurate document in the naturalization 
process;
``(4) used a false identity, alias, false date of birth, 
false place of birth, false nationality, false immigration 
history, or false Social Security account number in the 
naturalization process;
``(5) falsely claimed eligibility for naturalization;
``(6) obstructed, impeded, delayed, or refused to cooperate 
with any background check, biometric check, criminal-history 
check, immigration-history check, national-security check, 
interview, investigation, or request for evidence required for 
naturalization;
``(7) concealed any criminal conduct, arrest, charge, 
conviction, sentence, prior removal, prior unlawful presence, 
unlawful voting, unlawful registration to vote, unlawful 
employment, immigration fraud, benefit fraud, tax fraud, gang 
affiliation, cartel affiliation, terrorist affiliation, 
association with a foreign terrorist organization, or conduct 
described in section 316(h), if disclosure of such information 
was required by statute, regulation, form, instruction, 
interview, request for evidence, or other lawful request in the 
naturalization process;
``(8) procured testimony, sponsorship, documentation, 
translation, interpretation, representation, or evidence 
through fraud, coercion, bribery, threat, concealment, or 
material misrepresentation; or
``(9) engaged in any other fraudulent or obstructive 
conduct that was material to the adjudication of the 
application for naturalization.
``(b) Permanent Bar for Serious Naturalization Fraud or 
Concealment.--
``(1) In general.--Except as provided in subsection (c), an 
alien described in paragraph (2) shall be permanently 
ineligible for naturalization.
``(2) Aliens described.--An alien is described in this 
paragraph if the alien knowingly engaged in conduct described 
in subsection (a) and such conduct involved or concealed--
``(A) terrorism;
``(B) espionage;
``(C) sabotage;
``(D) knowingly acting as an agent, representative, 
or instrumentality of a foreign power, or knowingly 
acting under the direction or control of a foreign 
power, in a manner materially inconsistent with 
allegiance to the United States;
``(E) participation in, assistance to, or material 
support for a transnational criminal organization, 
cartel, or criminal gang;
``(F) a crime of violence, as defined in section 16 
of title 18, United States Code;
``(G) an aggravated felony, as defined in section 
101(a)(43);
``(H) a sex offense, as defined in section 111 of 
the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (34 
U.S.C. 20911);
``(I) child exploitation;
``(J) human trafficking;
``(K) unlawful voting or unlawful registration to 
vote;
``(L) use of a false identity;
``(M) prior removal;
``(N) a false claim of United States citizenship;
``(O) fraud against the United States, a State, a 
unit of local government, or an Indian Tribe;
``(P) benefit fraud involving an amount equal to or 
greater than $10,000; or
``(Q) any offense involving bribery, obstruction of 
justice, perjury, subornation of perjury, witness 
tampering, or destruction of records in connection with 
the naturalization process.
``(c) Exception for Certain Reasonable Belief Cases.--Subsection 
(b)(2)(N) shall not apply if the alien establishes, by clear and 
convincing evidence, that each natural parent of the alien, or, in the 
case of an adopted alien, each adoptive parent of the alien, is or was 
a citizen of the United States, the alien permanently resided in the 
United States before attaining the age of 16 years, and the alien 
reasonably believed at the time of the false claim that the alien was a 
citizen of the United States.
``(d) 10-year Bar for Other Material Fraud or Concealment.--Except 
as provided in subsection (b), an alien who knowingly engages in 
conduct described in subsection (a) shall be ineligible for 
naturalization for a period of not less than 10 years beginning on the 
date on which the Secretary denies the application for naturalization 
or determines that the alien engaged in such conduct, whichever occurs 
later.
``(e) Effect of Withdrawal, Correction, or Claim of 
Immateriality.--
``(1) No cure by withdrawal.--Conduct described in 
subsection (a) is not cured merely because the applicant 
withdraws the application for naturalization after such conduct 
occurs.
``(2) No cure by correction after detection.--Conduct 
described in subsection (a) is not cured merely because the 
applicant corrects, supplements, or amends the record after the 
false statement, misrepresentation, concealment, fraud, or 
obstruction is detected by the Department of Homeland Security, 
the Department of Justice, the Department of State, or any 
other Federal, State, local, Tribal, territorial, or foreign 
authority.
``(3) No defense based solely on claim of ultimate 
eligibility.--It shall not be a defense to a determination 
under this section that the applicant asserts that the false 
statement, misrepresentation, concealment, fraud, or 
obstruction was unnecessary to ultimate eligibility for 
naturalization, if the fact at issue was material.
``(f) Mandatory Referral.--
``(1) In general.--If the Secretary determines that there 
is credible evidence that an applicant has engaged in conduct 
described in subsection (a), the Secretary shall refer the 
matter, as appropriate, to--
``(A) U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement;
``(B) the Department of Justice;
``(C) the Department of State;
``(D) the Federal Bureau of Investigation;
``(E) the Inspector General of the Department of 
Homeland Security; or
``(F) any other appropriate Federal agency.
``(2) Contents of referral.--A referral under paragraph (1) 
shall include any relevant application materials, interview 
records, sworn statements, documentary evidence, biometric 
information, fraud findings, criminal-history information, 
immigration-history information, and national-security 
information available to the Secretary, consistent with 
applicable law.
``(g) Removal Priority.--An alien who is denied naturalization 
under this section shall be treated as a priority for removal if the 
alien is otherwise removable under this Act.
``(h) Limitation on Subsequent Immigration Benefits.--
``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), an 
alien who is denied naturalization under subsection (a) may not 
receive any discretionary immigration benefit under this Act 
during the period of ineligibility described in subsection (b) 
or (d).
``(2) Exceptions.--Paragraph (1) shall not apply to--
``(A) withholding of removal;
``(B) protection under the Convention Against 
Torture;
``(C) an application, petition, or request for 
relief or protection for which eligibility is required 
by Federal law to be available notwithstanding fraud or 
misrepresentation;
``(D) a law-enforcement certification, protection, 
or benefit made available to victims, witnesses, or 
cooperators, if the Secretary or the Attorney General 
determines that such certification, protection, or 
benefit is in the national interest; or
``(E) any other protection that the United States 
is required to provide under Federal law.
``(i) Record of Fraud Determination.--The Secretary shall maintain 
a record of any denial or determination under this section and shall 
ensure that such record is available to officers and employees of the 
Department of Homeland Security for purposes of adjudicating any 
subsequent immigration application, petition, request, or benefit.
``(j) Notice.--The Secretary shall provide an alien denied 
naturalization under this section with written notice describing--
``(1) the basis for the denial;
``(2) any period of ineligibility imposed under subsection 
(b) or (d);
``(3) any referral made under subsection (f), to the extent 
disclosure is not prohibited by law or contrary to law-
enforcement or national-security interests; and
``(4) any administrative or judicial review available under 
law.
``(k) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section may be 
construed to limit--
``(1) the authority of the United States to prosecute any 
offense;
``(2) the authority of the United States to initiate 
removal proceedings;
``(3) the authority of the United States to deny any 
immigration benefit;
``(4) the authority of the United States to bring a civil 
denaturalization action under section 340;
``(5) any ground of inadmissibility or deportability under 
this Act; or
``(6) any other consequence provided by law for fraud, 
concealment, false statements, false documents, perjury, 
unlawful voting, false claims of citizenship, or obstruction.
``(l) Definitions.--In this section, the terms `foreign power', 
`material fact', and `naturalization process' have the meanings given 
such terms in section 4 of the America First Citizenship and Allegiance 
Act.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents for the Immigration 
and Nationality Act is amended by inserting after the item relating to 
section 318 the following:

``Sec. 318A. Naturalization process integrity.''.
(c) Conforming Amendment.--Section 318 of the Immigration and 
Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1429) is amended by inserting after 
``deportability pursuant to a warrant of arrest issued under the 
provisions of this or any other Act'' the following: ``, or while a 
fraud determination, background-check investigation, national-security 
investigation, or referral described in section 318A(f) remains pending 
with respect to the applicant''.
(d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply to--
(1) any application for naturalization filed on or after 
the date of enactment of this Act;
(2) any application for naturalization pending on the date 
of enactment of this Act, except that an applicant shall be 
provided a reasonable opportunity to supplement or correct the 
application in accordance with procedures established by the 
Secretary; and
(3) any false statement, material misrepresentation, 
concealment, obstruction, fraudulent submission, or other 
conduct described in section 318A(a) of the Immigration and 
Nationality Act, as added by subsection (a), that occurs on or 
after the date of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 9. PRESERVATION OF DENATURALIZATION AUTHORITIES.

(a) In General.--Nothing in this Act, or the amendments made by 
this Act, shall be construed to limit, impair, or otherwise affect the 
authority of the United States to institute proceedings under section 
340 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1451), including 
proceedings based on concealment of a material fact, willful 
misrepresentation, illegal procurement of naturalization, lack of good 
moral character, lack of attachment to the principles of the 
Constitution of the United States, or lack of disposition to the good 
order and happiness of the United States.
(b) Effect of Naturalization Process Violation.--If an alien is 
naturalized notwithstanding conduct described in section 318A of the 
Immigration and Nationality Act, as added by section 8 of this Act, 
such conduct may constitute evidence that the order admitting such 
person to citizenship was illegally procured or procured by concealment 
of a material fact or by willful misrepresentation for purposes of 
section 340 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1451).
(c) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be 
construed--
(1) to require the United States to institute proceedings 
under section 340 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 
U.S.C. 1451);
(2) to limit any ground for denaturalization or revocation 
of naturalization under section 340 of the Immigration and 
Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1451) or any other provision of law; 
or
(3) to create any defense to denaturalization or revocation 
of naturalization that is not otherwise available under law.

SEC. 10. CRIMINAL PENALTIES FOR NATURALIZATION FRAUD AND FALSE 
STATEMENTS.

(a) Naturalization Fraud.--Section 1425 of title 18, United States 
Code, is amended--
(1) by striking the undesignated matter following 
subsection (b); and
(2) by inserting after subsection (b) the following:
``(c) Penalties.--A person who violates subsection (a) or (b) shall 
be fined under this title, imprisoned--
``(1) not more than 25 years, if the offense was committed 
to facilitate an act of international terrorism, as defined in 
section 2331;
``(2) not more than 20 years, if the offense was committed 
to facilitate a drug trafficking crime, as defined in section 
929(a), or transnational criminal activity;
``(3) not more than 10 years, in the case of the first or 
second such offense, if the offense was not committed to 
facilitate an act of international terrorism, a drug 
trafficking crime, or transnational criminal activity; or
``(4) not more than 15 years, in the case of any other 
offense, or both.
``(d) Forfeiture.--Any document, thing of value, or proceeds 
obtained as a result of an offense under this section shall be subject 
to forfeiture to the United States.
``(e) Immigration Consequences.--A conviction under this section 
shall be deemed to involve moral turpitude, fraud, and obstruction of 
the naturalization process for purposes of the Immigration and 
Nationality Act.''.
(b) False Statements Relating to Naturalization, Citizenship, or 
Registry.--Section 1015 of title 18, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking the undesignated matter following 
subsection (f); and
(2) by inserting after subsection (f) the following:
``(g) Penalty.--Except as provided in subsection (h), a person who 
violates this section shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not 
more than 10 years, or both.
``(h) Enhanced Penalty.--If an offense under this section involves 
terrorism, espionage, sabotage, a transnational criminal organization, 
cartel activity, gang activity, a sex offense, child exploitation, 
human trafficking, unlawful voting, false identity, prior removal, or 
knowingly acting as an agent, representative, or instrumentality of a 
foreign power, or knowingly acting under the direction or control of a 
foreign power, in a manner materially inconsistent with allegiance to 
the United States, the defendant shall be fined under this title, 
imprisoned not more than 20 years, or both.''.
(c) Document Fraud.--Section 274C(e)(1) of the Immigration and 
Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1324c(e)(1)) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``not less than $250 
and not more than $2,000'' and inserting ``not less than $2,500 
and not more than $10,000''; and
(2) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``not less than $2,000 
and not more than $5,000'' and inserting ``not less than 
$10,000 and not more than $25,000''.
(d) Definition.--In this section, the term ``transnational criminal 
activity'' means criminal activity carried out by, at the direction of, 
or in material coordination with a transnational criminal organization, 
cartel, or criminal gang that is based primarily outside the United 
States.
(e) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section, or the 
amendments made by this section, may be construed to limit the 
authority of the United States to pursue denaturalization, removal, 
forfeiture, civil penalties, criminal penalties, or any other remedy 
available under law.

SEC. 11. AMERICA 250 CITIZENSHIP INITIATIVE.

(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish an initiative, to 
be known as the ``America 250 Citizenship Initiative'', to revise and 
strengthen naturalization materials, oath-of-allegiance materials, and 
civics resources in connection with the 250th anniversary of the 
Declaration of Independence.
(b) Contents.--The initiative established under subsection (a) 
shall include--
(1) revised study materials for the naturalization 
examination required under section 312 of the Immigration and 
Nationality Act;
(2) a citizenship guide explaining the Declaration of 
Independence, the Constitution of the United States, the Bill 
of Rights, separation of powers, Federalism, religious liberty, 
freedom of speech, equal citizenship, the rule of law, and the 
duties of citizenship;
(3) model materials for oath-of-allegiance ceremonies;
(4) materials explaining the distinction between 
citizenship, lawful permanent residence, temporary presence, 
parole, and other immigration statuses;
(5) materials explaining that citizenship requires 
allegiance to the United States and attachment to the 
principles of the Constitution of the United States;
(6) materials explaining the consequences of fraud, 
concealment, false statements, false documents, unlawful 
voting, false claims of citizenship, and abuse of the 
naturalization process; and
(7) such other materials as the Secretary determines 
appropriate to promote understanding of American citizenship, 
constitutional liberty, civic obligation, and allegiance to the 
United States.
(c) Use of Materials.--The Secretary shall ensure that the 
materials developed under this section are incorporated into--
(1) naturalization study materials;
(2) applicant preparation materials;
(3) oath-of-allegiance instruction required under section 
337(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as added by 
section 7 of this Act; and
(4) public-facing materials concerning naturalization and 
citizenship.
(d) Consultation.--In carrying out this section, the Secretary 
shall consult with--
(1) the Archivist of the United States;
(2) the Secretary of Education;
(3) the Director of the National Park Service;
(4) the Librarian of Congress;
(5) the Director of the Administrative Office of the United 
States Courts; and
(6) such other Federal officials as the Secretary 
determines appropriate.
(e) Limitation.--Nothing in this section may be construed to 
authorize the Secretary to create any new grant program.

SEC. 12. ANNUAL REPORT TO CONGRESS.

(a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, and annually thereafter for 5 years, the Secretary shall 
submit to the Committees on the Judiciary of the Senate and the House 
of Representatives a report concerning implementation of this Act.
(b) Contents.--Each report required under subsection (a) shall 
include--
(1) the number of naturalization applications received;
(2) the number of naturalization applications approved;
(3) the number of naturalization applications denied;
(4) the number of denials based on failure to satisfy 
English-language requirements;
(5) the number of denials based on failure to satisfy 
civics or history requirements;
(6) the number of denials based on failure to demonstrate 
attachment to the principles of the Constitution of the United 
States;
(7) the number of denials based on failure to demonstrate 
favorable disposition toward the good order and happiness of 
the United States;
(8) the number of denials based on false statements, 
material misrepresentation, concealment of material facts, 
false identity, fraudulent documents, obstruction, or fraud;
(9) the number of referrals made under section 318A(f) of 
the Immigration and Nationality Act, as added by section 8;
(10) the number of aliens denied naturalization who were 
placed in removal proceedings;
(11) the number of applicants granted waivers or exceptions 
from English-language or civics requirements, disaggregated by 
statutory basis;
(12) the number of oath ceremonies conducted;
(13) the number of applicants who failed to certify 
understanding of the oath of allegiance;
(14) the status of the America 250 Citizenship Initiative; 
and
(15) recommendations for legislation or administrative 
action to improve the integrity of the naturalization process.
(c) Form.--The report required under subsection (a) shall be 
submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex.

SEC. 13. REGULATIONS.

(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in consultation with the Attorney 
General as appropriate, shall promulgate regulations to carry out this 
Act and the amendments made by this Act, including regulations 
concerning--
(1) the naturalization examination required under section 
312 of the Immigration and Nationality Act;
(2) instruction on the oath of allegiance required under 
section 337(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act;
(3) determinations of attachment to the principles of the 
Constitution of the United States under section 316(h) of the 
Immigration and Nationality Act;
(4) fraud determinations under section 318A of the 
Immigration and Nationality Act;
(5) permanent and temporary bars to naturalization under 
section 318A of the Immigration and Nationality Act;
(6) referrals to Federal law-enforcement agencies;
(7) recordkeeping requirements;
(8) notice to applicants; and
(9) implementation of the America 250 Citizenship 
Initiative.
(b) No Delay.--The failure of the Secretary to promulgate 
regulations under subsection (a) shall not delay the effective date of 
this Act or the amendments made by this Act.

SEC. 14. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.

Nothing in this Act, or the amendments made by this Act, may be 
construed--
(1) to authorize the denial of naturalization based solely 
on speech protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution 
of the United States;
(2) to authorize the denial of naturalization based solely 
on religious belief, lawful association, familial relationship, 
nationality, ethnicity, dual nationality, or lawful contact 
with a foreign government;
(3) to limit the authority of the United States to deny 
naturalization to any applicant who fails to establish 
eligibility for naturalization;
(4) to limit the authority of the United States to bring 
denaturalization proceedings under section 340 of the 
Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1451);
(5) to limit the authority of the United States to initiate 
removal proceedings;
(6) to limit any ground of inadmissibility or deportability 
under the Immigration and Nationality Act;
(7) to limit the authority of the United States to 
investigate or prosecute fraud, false statements, false 
documents, false claims of citizenship, unlawful voting, 
obstruction, perjury, bribery, terrorism, espionage, sabotage, 
gang activity, cartel activity, or transnational criminal 
activity;
(8) to create any entitlement to naturalization, 
citizenship, or any immigration benefit;
(9) to alter the requirement that an applicant for 
naturalization bears the burden of establishing eligibility for 
naturalization;
(10) to affect the citizenship or nationality status of any 
person who is a citizen or national of the United States on the 
date of enactment of this Act; or
(11) to alter the allocation of authority between the 
Secretary of Homeland Security and the Attorney General under 
the Immigration and Nationality Act, the Homeland Security Act 
of 2002, or any other provision of law.

SEC. 15. SEVERABILITY.

If any provision of this Act, an amendment made by this Act, or the 
application of such provision or amendment to any person or 
circumstance is held to be unconstitutional or otherwise invalid, the 
remainder of this Act, the amendments made by this Act, and the 
application of the provisions and amendments to any other person or 
circumstance shall not be affected.

SEC. 16. EFFECTIVE DATE.

Except as otherwise provided in this Act, this Act and the 
amendments made by this Act shall take effect on the date of enactment 
of this Act.
<all>