The Trump administration has undertaken the largest coordinated denaturalization campaign in modern U.S. history. The move has sparked outrage from the usual suspects, but it is the right decision and it sends a clear and important message.

Naturalized citizenship is a solemn privilege. Those granted it should cherish it and recognize it for the wonderful opportunity that it manifestly is. Those who exploited America when it opened its doors to them should face serious consequences, including the loss of citizenship when that citizenship was illegally obtained.

On June 8, the Department of Justice announced that it had filed denaturalization actions against 17 naturalized citizens accused of serious crimes.