WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, NY-1) issued the following statement after reintroducing the Protecting Our Communities from Gang Violence Act (H.R. 1106), legislation that revokes the naturalization for those involved in gang activity prior to or within 10 years of becoming naturalized:

“Our community has witnessed the indiscriminate brutality of gang violence first-hand, and every level of government has a role to play in combating the rise of MS-13 and other gangs in our communities. The federal government bears the responsibility of cracking down on the aspects of our nation’s broken immigration system that have allowed gangs to infiltrate our communities and take hold. That’s why I’ve introduced legislation that would crack down on naturalized citizens involved in gang activity prior to or within 10 years of becoming naturalized. Our nation has a rich immigrant history, one that has shaped the nation we are today. We must continue this rich heritage, ensuring those coming to our nation are here to build our communities up, not tear them apart.”

Reps. Peter King (R, NY-2), Mark Meadows (R, NC-11) and Mo Brooks (R, AL-5) are original cosponsors of this legislation.