Long Island, NY - February 21, 2018 - Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, NY-1) issued the following statement after introducing the Protecting Our Communities from Gang Violence Act, legislation that revokes naturalization for those involved in gang activity prior to or within 10 years of becoming naturalized:
“From the vicious machete attack of four young men in Central Islip, to the childhood best friends brutally murdered by MS-13 in Brentwood, our community has witnessed the indiscriminate brutality of gang violence firsthand. Every level of government has a role to play in combating the rise of MS-13 and other gangs, and we must crack down on the aspects of our nation’s broken immigration system and other policies that have allowed MS-13 and other gangs to take hold in our communities and stay there. That is why I introduced this legislation to revoke the naturalization of those involved in gang activity prior to or within 10 years of becoming naturalized. United States naturalization is a privilege not a right, and those who have had this privilege bestowed upon them must respect and uphold the laws of our land.”