[RS]

Stupid statement - if she left off "even citizens" I would agree, but once you have decided they are citizens you have no further need to identify them.

You have already figured out who they are, and if they are bad citizens you can hold them.

[FreeReign]

Daily News | Excerpt: "We understand that most of these conferences are legitimate, but it is our duty, it is incumbent on us to verify the identity of everybody entering the U.S. - even citizens," said Kristi Clemens, a Washington spokeswoman.

Stupid statement - if she left off "even citizens" I would agree, but once you have decided they are citizens you have no further need to identify them. You have already figured out who they are, and if they are bad citizens you can hold them.

I think it's most reasonable to conclude that she meant to say the following:

What she meant:...but it is our duty, it is incumbent on us to verify the identity of everybody entering the U.S. - even (if they turn out to be) citizens.