Justice Department Secures the Denaturalization of Convicted Gun Trafficker and Health Care Fraudster, and Files Complaint Against Marriage Scammer

# Justice Department Denaturalizes Gun Trafficker, Targets Marriage Fraudster

The Department of Justice announced denaturalization proceedings against three individuals who obtained U.S. citizenship through fraud. On March 23, a federal court in the Middle District of Florida revoked the citizenship of Vladimir Volgaev, a Ukrainian national who concealed his involvement in smuggling over 1,000 firearm components to Ukraine and Italy beginning in 2011. Volgaev also committed federal housing benefits fraud by misreporting his assets and income starting in 2013. He was convicted of smuggling and theft of government property in 2020, five years after naturalizing in 2016.

The court determined Volgaev failed to demonstrate good moral character as required for naturalization and provided false testimony about his criminal background during the citizenship process. Attorney General Pamela Bondi stated the actions reflect the department's efforts to strip citizenship from those who conceal crimes or commit fraud during immigration proceedings.

Additionally, the Justice Department filed a complaint seeking denaturalization of a third individual involved in marriage fraud. The cases underscore the administration's focus on revoking citizenship obtained through fraudulent means.